NYSC gives succour to physically challenged, less-privileged in rural areas
NAN-HG-18
Healthcare
By Temitope Salami
Ijebu-Ode (Ogun), Oct. 12, 2016 (NAN) The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Ogun has distributed 11 wheelchairs and 250 mosquito nets to the physically challenged and the less-privileged persons in some rural areas of the state.
The gesture is to commemorate its 2016 Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD).
Brig.-Gen. Suleiman Kazaure, the NYSC Director-General, announced this on Wednesday at the flag-off of the HIRD week in Odonoko village, Ijebu-East Local Government Area of Ogun.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scheme, which was inaugurated in 2015 is targeted at providing free healthcare to rural dwellers across the country.
The D-G said the concept of bringing free healthcare to the grassroots became imperative because of poor access to quality medical facilities in rural communities.
He said the goal of the HIRD programme was to mobilise corps medical volunteers to provide health interventions through diagnosis, treatment, referrals and proper prevention mechanisms.
Kazaure said in driving the health initiative scheme, the NYSC hoped to help to enhance the general well-being of rural dwellers across communities in the country.
The D-G, who was represented by Mrs Rhoda Kwaki, Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, assured that the HIRD would be sustained by the service.
“The HIRD, which was conceived as an idea over two years ago has today become not only a reality but has gained national acceptance.
“As managers of the scheme, we are prepared to leverage on the well spread abundant human resources at our disposal to improve the quality of life of our people.
“This health outreach, which is taking place simultaneously in some selected rural communities across the nation has been designed to address the health challenges of our dear people.
“Our confidence in the success of the programme lies in our partners and stakeholders, who are either assisting us with personnel or providing support with drugs and medical equipment.
“It is my hope that our efforts in enhancing the quality of life of our people through this programme will endure and be sustained in the history of this nation,” Kazaure said.
Mr James Afolayan, the Ogun State Coordinator of NYSC said the HIRD initiative could not have come at a better time, considering the socio-economic challenges the country was going through.
Afolayan urged the beneficiaries of the programme to embrace it in its entirety for sustainable development of their communities as well as to improve their well-being.
He urged them not to take to self-medication and `blind’ treatment with local methods while laying emphasis on preventive medicine and the need to adopt healthy lifestyles.
“This initiative is for the benefit of everyone, hence our people must take ownership and participate fully for the good health of all,” Afolayan said.
Apart from Odonoko, the coordinator said the week-long activity would also be held at Ijebu-Mushin, Itori and Ibeshe in Ijebu-East, Ewekoro and Yewa-North Local Government areas.
The Gov. Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, who was represented by Mr Afolabi Afuape, Commissioner for Youths and Sports, welcomed the NYSC initiative, assuring of its success by providing support.
“By the conception of this health scheme, the NYSC has continued to demonstrate its capabilities as an agent of not just national integration but also socio-economic development.
“It is not only a viable approach to sustain healthcare of our rural-dwellers but in the long run promote poverty alleviation and food security.
“The NYSC’s initiative will go a long way in tackling and reducing infant mortality, maternal morbidity and generally improve the healthcare of our people,” Amosun said.
The Community Head of Odonoko, Chief Adebogun Asunmo, thanked the NYSC for the HIRD programme, saying it would help to bring relief to their lives. (NAN)
TDS/AOS/TON
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni by Tony Nezianya