NYSC Announces Provision Of Free Medical Services In Ondo

The people of Oba-Akoko Community in Akoko South West Local Government Area Ondo state were given free medical services on Friday by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). 

 The NYSC State Coordinator, Victoria Ani said that the gesture was to improve the health status of rural dwellers and to mark the 2022 first quarter of the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) Programme, initiated by the NYSC.

Adejoke Fashola, Assistant Director in charge of Corps Discipline and Reward, who represented Ani said that the free medical services would lead to a drastic fall in cases of untimely deaths and also enhance healthy living.

According to her, HIRD is designed for rural dwellers who under normal circumstances are not able to access medical facilities as a result of neglect and remoteness of their location.

“There is a popular saying that 'too much of everything is bad', but this is not so when it comes to health care, because 'a healthy people is a healthy nation'.

 “As a result of this, the NYSC has decided to bring out the HIRD Programme, which is an intervention of the management of the NYSC.

 “So, the Director-General, Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, in his aspiration, to reposition the scheme has been in the vanguard to address the numerous hazards occasioned by health challenges and inadequacies.

“The Corps medical personnel nationwide massively mobilised to be involved in the state HIRD exercise,” she said.

 Ani, therefore, urged the residents of the rural areas in the state to improve their health status.

He advised them to feel free to share any of their confidential health-related challenges with the corps medical personnel.

 The NYSC state coordinator showed appreciation to the  corp members who volunteered to carry out the task and applauded the community leaders as well as other stakeholders for the chance given to execute the programme

Catherine Okupe, Director, Youth Development, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, who represented the governor of the state appreciated the NYSC management for the free health care services in the state.

“It is without a doubt that the government, whether at the local, state or federal level may not have the ability to provide or achieve all its lofty programmes for the people.

 “Hence, it is a pleasant relief when support or partnerships such as this is provided by the NYSC Scheme.

 “Our belief is that the NYSC Scheme is reaching beyond its primary mandates, which are to practically impact the rural communities,” he said.

 Chief Suleiman Olugbenga, who represented the traditional ruler in the community, Oba Nurudeen Adeoroye appreciated the management of the NYSC for selfless services rendered to the community. 

He said the free medical services will be an advantage to the people, particularly the elderly ones who cannot afford hospital bills. 

 Also speaking, Dr Afeez Saka, a serving Corps doctor at the State Specialist Hospital, Ikare-Akoko explained that routine tests were conducted on blood pressure, blood sugar and others.

“We are giving out free drugs including antibiotics, antimalaria, cough syrups, multivitamins and many others,” Saka said.