The State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Imo Mr Jimba Chris said the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers(HIRD) has impacted greatly on members of communitues in the 27 local government areas of the state.
Chris stated this at the state official flag-off of the NYSC health week under HIRD with theme “Health is Wealth Advancement” held at the scheme’s Secretariat Headquarters, Owerri on Tuesday.
He said the health interventions of the scheme through the HIRD and other platforms have made enormous impacts in the improvement of reproductive health, reduction of maternal and infant mortality as well as maintenance and improvement of health infrastructure.
He said NYSC, since inception, had recorded numerous landmarks in healthcare delivery, rural infrastructure, mass literacy, education, sports and other social services.
“Driven by our determination to deepen the impact of healthcare services, management launched the NYSC-HIRD in 2014.
“It is a platform for contribution towards promoting the well being of indigent persons at the grassroots by granting them easier access to free and quality healthcare.
The state coordinator said the medical outreach also feature sensitisation of community members on disease prevention and care.
He said that over two million persons have been attended to by the NYSC Medical Teams on the HIRD platform.
Chris said the team had also donated over 300 wheel chair with the support of partners through the programme.
He identified other approaches to the implementation of HIRD to include, establishment of community based clinics, setting up of clinics for the NYSC Secretariat and giving of first and humanitarian aid.
The state coordinator commended the corps medical volunteers and field officers for the tireless efforts towards the success of the programme.
He onbehalf of the NYSC Director General, Brig Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, thanked supporting ministries and agencies such as the Federal and State Ministries of Health, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, UN International Children’s Fund, World Health Organisation and the Society for Family Health international aside others.
Chief Ejikeme Ngumezi, the Traditional Prime Minister of Amaike Mbaeri Autonomous Community onbehalf of other communities commended the NYSC for the programme meant to reach out to the health situation of people in communities.
He said the NYSC medical outreach is a new and laudable programme in the scheme as it was not done during his time.
The President NYSC Medical and Health Community Development Service (CDS) Mr Darlington Nwachukwu said HIRD was aimed at making health services available for the rural populace with the help of donor agencies.
He said the services involved free medical services and medications adding that they intend to visit as many communities as possible in the 27 local government areas of the state.