The National Youth Service Corps Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), the programme which is carried out every quarter of the year in all the States of the Federation and Federal Capital Territory has brought succour to over four million beneficiaries, who could not have afforded medical bills.
NYSC Chairman National Governing Board, Ambassador Fatima Balla Abubakar stated this at the Flag-off of the Special Medical Outreaches under the HIRD Programme in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Scheme on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ambassador Abubakar explained that the HIRD programme was launched in 2014 with a view to ameliorating the difficulties faced by indigent Nigerians, especially the rural dwelling ones, in accessing quality health care.
Adding that this special edition of the HIRD is organized in further demonstration of the commitment of the NYSC Scheme to putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians, and a reflection of its relevance in the trajectory of nation building.
She commended the NYSC Management, the supervising officials and the Corps medical personnel for sustaining this laudable initiative, while expressed profound gratitude to Her Excellency, the First Lady, Aisha Buhari for the donation of a Mobile Clinic to the NYSC, which has given greater impetus to the programme.
The Chairman saluted the State Ministries of Health, tertiary health institutions, pharmaceutical companies and other public-spirited organizations and individuals for their immeasurable support for the success of the HIRD outreaches nationwide.
She also appealed to other well- meaning Nigerians to add their support to the programme so as to enable the Scheme extend coverage to larger numbers of underprivileged, congratulated the Management, Staff, Corps members and, indeed, the generality of Nigerians on the 50th anniversary of the noble Scheme.
NYSC Director General, Brigadier General YD Ahmed reported in his welcome address that over three million Nigerians have benefitted from this initiative.
According to him, “The outreach being flagged-off today comes just five weeks after a similar one we conducted at the IDP Centre, Malaysia Garden, Abuja, where people came out in large numbers to receive free treatment for various medical conditions”.
He noted the enormous generosity of Her Excellency, the First Lady, has shown in the success of the HIRD. “We are still relishing her benevolence in donating this high-capacity ultra-modern mobile clinic that is deployed here today.
The DG also reported that the facility, which was handed over to the Scheme a year ago, has greatly enhanced the efficiency of the scheme health interventions. “We, therefore, thank you once again even as we look forward to further support for the Scheme.
General Ahmed appreciated the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the NYSC National Governing Board whose encouragement and support facilitate the success of the Scheme and to the relevant schedule officers
“We also thank individuals and corporate bodies that have contributed in one way or the other to the success of the HIRD since its inception”. Assuring Nigerians that the provision of quality health services will remain one of the Scheme priorities.