The National Youth Service Corps reports that since its launch in 2014, its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers has benefited at least four million Nigerians, the majority of whom live in rural areas.
This was revealed by NYSC Director-General Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu on Monday in Abuja when he officially opened the 2025 First Quarter HIRD program in the Dutse-Alhaji and Dutsepe localities.
Nafiu, who was represented by NYSC’s Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Ahmed Ikaka, said that the programme utilised corps members for sensitisation on the prevention of diseases and treatment of cases diagnosed.
According to him, the programme has also assisted governments, organisations and other relevant health institutions in the provision of statistics and data on the distribution of prevailing ailments in rural areas.
“This speaks to the fact that a healthy populace is crucial to achieving optimal productivity, which is essential to attaining socio-economic development in our nation.
“Management regards this as an opportunity to contribute its quota in addressing Nigerian healthcare challenges by embarking on this laudable initiative from time to time.
“The action has undoubtedly created a platform for millions of rural dwellers to access pre-medical services at their doorstep, thereby rescuing them from unpleasant health conditions,” he stated.
The director-general, however, attributed the initiative’s success to contributions from various stakeholders.
The Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, Mr Ahidjo Yahaya, said that the programme deployed corps medical personnel comprising doctors, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists and medical laboratory scientists.
The two-day outreach, according to Yahaya, will include raising awareness of the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of illnesses.
In his remarks, the District Head, Alhaji Abubakar Bako, said that that the community was very happy because NYSC deemed it fit to consider it for such initiative.
According to Bako, the presence of corps members in the neighbourhood would encourage the younger generation to achieve greater things.
“Seeing the NYSC uniform in this community today will give them zeal about their career. So, we are happy, and we thank you so much for choosing this community,” he said.
Speaking at the event, additional community members expressed gratitude for the gesture and promised to follow the advice given by the medical staff, improve their personal cleanliness, and do other things.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the initiative is aimed at improving healthcare access in rural areas by utilising corps members with medical backgrounds.
NAN also reports that the initiative focuses on disease prevention, first aid, monitoring health conditions and referring patients to appropriate care, when needed.
(NAN)
