By Segun Giwa
\Ile-Oluji (Ondo State) – Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has lauded National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for providing free medical services to Nigerians through its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD).
Akeredolu expressed the appreciation while flaggingoff the 2022 second quarter NYSC HIRD programme at the town hall, Ile-Oluji in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.
The governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Bamidele Ologun, said his government and people of the state appreciated NYSC for supporting the state through the provision of free healthcare services.
He described the programme as another step toward a more holistic contribution to the continued good health and enhanced productivity of the citizens and residents of the state.
Akeredolu, who said that governments at all levels, might not have the ability to completely cater for the needs of the citizens and residents, described the programme as a pleasant relief.
“We will provide all the necessary collaborations to ensure that the laudable programme does not become a thing of the past.
“Let’s see ways to expand the reach to more people in the state so as to deepen the objectives of the programme,” he said.
In her address of welcome, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mrs Victoria Ani, said the initiative was that of the Director-General, geared toward reaching out to rural communities, with free medical services to be provided corps’ medical professionals.
“Apart from supporting the state government in the provision of healthcare, the programme is meant to medically promote the quality of life of rural dwellers,” she said.
Ani said that the programme was also targeted at further increasing the broad impact of the scheme and expanding its value to its critical stakeholders at all levels in the society.
She urged people of the community to take advantage of the programme to take better care of their health by trooping out en masse to be attended to, thus enjoying its huge benefits.
The state coordinator thanked the stakeholders and partners who had contributed financially and materially to the successful flag-off of the programme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some corps’ doctors gave series of lecture on total wellbeing of individuals, with special reference to high blood pressure as well as other ailments and diseases. (NAN)
