The National Youth Service Corps on Thursday inaugurated its 2023 first-quarter Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers in Abia State.
The medical outreach, held at the Eziama High School in Abia North, witnessed a large turnout.
The event featured health talks, free medical consultation and laboratory tests, as well as treatment for ailments diagnosed.
The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Ufuoma Dick-Iruenabere, while speaking at the event, urged the residents to avail themselves of the opportunity and access free healthcare services provided by the scheme.
She said that the scheme was fully prepared to use skilled human resources at its disposal to improve the quality of life of the people.
Dick-Iruenabere said that HIRD had a core responsibility of mobilising corps medical personnel to provide health interventions such as diagnosis, treatment, referral and preventive mechanisms.
She thanked the state government and sponsors of the programme for the support.
“I, therefore, appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians to support this initiative of NYSC, which is geared toward imparting positively on the health needs of our rural dwellers,” she said.
The NYSC Zonal Inspector in Aba North, Mr. Chinedu Ubagu, expressed his delight over the success of the exercise, noting that the elderly and young people were attended to.
Ubagu further said that the NYSC used the traditional ruler of the community, radio announcements and town criers to inform the people about the programme, which led to the large turnout.
He said, “Yes, we had a rally and moved round the community to sensitise people about the benefits of the exercise. I am glad they responded very well.”
Also, the Chairman of Aba North Local Government Area, Mr. Stanley Ogbonna, thanked NYSC for choosing the area for the exercise.
Represented by his deputy, Mr. Isidore Egejuru, he commended the initiative, and urged NYSC to continue with the programme.
“We are happy about this and that is why we supported it with logistics and others things.
“It is our desire that this programme would hold once in a while in our community so that people will benefit and feel the impact of governance,” he said.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Nnabuife, said she was grateful to NYSC and impressed with the service rendered to her.
“This programme is the first of its kind in this community and I thank the NYSC,” she said.
(NAN)
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