The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Oyo State, has flagged off the 2nd quarter of the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) in the Ibarapa East Local GovernmentArea of the state.
The HIRD programme is the NYSC Scheme initiative conceptualised in 2014 with the sole aim of providing accessible, free and timely healthcare interventions to Nigerians, especially rural dwellers.
The Oyo NYSC Coordinator, Mr. Odoba Abel Oche during the flag-off said the HIRD medical outreach had been a veritable platform for the promotion of the wellbeing of rural dwellers at the grassroots by granting easier access to free and quality healthcare.
Odoba noted that since the birth of the laudable programme by the scheme, a lot of people and communities had benefited nationwide.
He explained that NYSC sent corps doctors and nurses who were professionals to those communities to provide free health care services in order to give back to the society.
The state coordinator, therefore, appreciated members of the Ibarapa East LG for turning up in large numbers, thereby making the initiative a success.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Assistant Director, Community Development Service (CDS), Oyo State, Mrs Oluwaseki Silvia said the scheme decided to flag off the 2nd quarter of the medical outreach in Ibarapa LG because they have been helpful to the Corps members serving in the Local government.
She encouraged the beneficiary LG to open up to the medical professionals on whatever health challenges they may be facing. She equally advised them on the need to have medical checks at every given opportunity, which would help with early diagnosis and the treatment of ailments.
Speaking also, the Chairman, Ibarapa East LG, Hon. Obalowo Olugbenga thanked NYSC Oyo State for deeming it fit to bring such a programme to the LG for the people to benefit from. He admitted that Corps members posted to the LG have been showing good conduct.
The flag off programme witnessed a health talk on Hepatitis and Nutrition which was delivered to members of the community by Corps doctors, after which medical examination and treatment such as malaria test, blood pressure, and blood level among others were carried out as preliminaries of the diagnosis of various health challenges.
Insecticides and mosquito nets were equally distributed at the venue.
