The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) has benefitted no fewer than four million Nigerians, mostly rural dwellers, since its inception in 2014.
The initiative utilises corps members to provide medical services, sensitise communities on disease prevention, and offer treatment for diagnosed cases.
The NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, stated this on Monday in Abuja while declaring open the 2025 First Quarter HIRD programme at Dutse-Alhaji in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Nafiu, who was represented by NYSC’s Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Ahmed Ikaka, attributed the initiative’s success to contributions from various stakeholders.
He further stated that the programme has assisted governments and health institutions in providing statistics and data on prevailing ailments in rural areas, aiding planning and projections.
The initiative, he said, deploys corps medical personnel, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and medical laboratory scientists, to rural communities.
“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 of Community Development Service and Special Projects, Mr Ahidjo Yahaya, stated that the programme focuses on disease prevention, first aid, monitoring health conditions, and referring patients to appropriate care when needed.
The Director of Community Development Service and Special Projects, Mr Ahidjo Yahaya, also stated that the programme would deploy medical personnel, including doctors, pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, and medical laboratory scientists.
He noted that the two-day outreach would focus on sensitising the community on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
The District Head, Alhaji Abubakar Bako, expressed the community’s gratitude, stating that the NYSC’s initiative would motivate the younger generation to strive for excellence.
“Seeing the NYSC uniform in our community today will inspire them to pursue their careers with enthusiasm,” he said, thanking the NYSC for choosing their community.
Community leaders and members expressed gratitude for the initiative, pledging to adhere to health instructions and improve hygiene practices.
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