By Editor
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has called on stakeholders, corporate organizations, and well-meaning individuals to support rural healthcare initiatives by providing medical supplies and resources to underserved communities.
The charge was made during the flag-off of the 2025 first-quarter Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme in Sogbamu Village, Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
Represented by the NYSC Ogun State Coordinator, Mrs. Olayinka Diana Nasamu, the DG reaffirmed the Scheme’s commitment to providing free and quality healthcare to rural dwellers through the HIRD initiative, which was launched in 2014.
Mrs. Nasamu highlighted the programme’s impact, noting that Corps Medical Volunteers would conduct diagnoses, treatments, minor procedures, and patient referrals, in addition to distributing essential medications at no cost. She further emphasized the importance of community health education, as the outreach featured awareness sessions on disease prevention, malaria control, HIV/AIDS, and maternal health.
A key part of the event was a health talk on Diabetes and High Blood presure, delivered by Mr. Adetutu Akeem from Abeokuta South Health Centre. Following the sensitization, beneficiaries received free medical checkups, malaria tests, blood pressure screenings, and essential medications, including paracetamol, artemether-lumefantrine, aspirin, amoxicillin, and fluconazole.
In total, 287 community members benefited from the outreach, receiving much-needed medical attention and health education.
The programme was attended by NYSC officials, including Assistant Directors, Heads of Branches, Zonal and Local Government Inspectors.
Also present were the Executive Chairman of Abeokuta South Local Government, Hon. Balogun Olaniyi Afeez, represented by the Local Government Secretary, Hon
Mustapha Kodaolu and the Baale of Sogbamu Village, Chief Adebayo Oshoba. They both commended the NYSC’s unwavering efforts in improving healthcare access in rural communities and urged residents to maximize the benefits of the initiative.
The NYSC Ogun State HIRD programme continues to serve as a vital intervention in bridging the healthcare gap in rural areas, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive essential medical attention and health education.
