From Layi Olanrewaju, Ilorin
The National Youth Service Corps, Kwara State, on Wednesday, flagged off the 2023 third phase of her free medical outreach under the Health Initiative for Rural Dweller, HIRD, a programme in Tsaragi, Edu Local Government Area of the state.
HIRD, the platform geared towards the promotion of the well-being of indigent persons at the grassroots by granting them easier access to free and quality healthcare was launched in 2014.
The programme is largely implemented through medical outreach communities across the country during which Corps Medical Volunteers carry out diagnosis; treatment, minor medical procedures, and referrals of patients.
Drugs, eyeglasses and other medical consumables are also given to patients free of charge.
While declaring the event open, the State Coordinator, NYSC Kwara, Mr. Onifade Olaoluwa enjoined members of the community to take advantage of the free medical outreach to further enrich their health status.
The Coordinator emphasized the determination of the NYSC to intensify efforts to make sure an average Nigerian has access to good medical care.
The NYSC chief disclosed that thousands of people have benefited from the HIRD in the state. He further stressed that, apart from HIRD, Corps Members are also using different mediums of Community Development Service, CDS, to make other health-related interventions.
Such interventions, according to him, included “ Health Survey, Medical outreach and sensitization, renovation of NYSC clinic at NYSC State secretariat to serve members of the public for free on minor ailments, various campaigns against COVID-19, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), HIV/AIDS Malaria Control, Poliomyelitis and other killer diseases.
He further affirmed that “…the health interventions of the scheme through the HIRD and other platforms have made an enormous impact such as contribution to the improvement of reproductive health, reduction of maternal and infant mortality as well as maintenance and improvement of health infrastructure.”