Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has called on Nigerians and partners of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, to support the activities of Corps Members to help boost the economy.
The first lady made the appeal while declaring open the NYSC Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers, HIRD programme in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Scheme at Jahi ll community in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
She said that the scheme has made an enormous impact, especially among rural dwellers, which has continued to attract commendation from both within and outside the country.
“The Scheme has proved its relevance in facilitating unity, integration and development of the nation.
“I am optimistic that the commemoration of the five decades of NYSC’s existence, coupled with the introduction of the HIRD outreach will further validate the argument for the continued relevance of the Scheme.”
According to her, “The introduction of the HIRD programme has largely been successful. As part of my office appreciation, the donation of a well-equipped mobile clinic to the Scheme will enhance the success of the Corps Medical team. I am sure that this facility would continuously assist in this respect”.
She called on the Management of the Scheme as well as the Corps Members not to relent in their efforts in promoting the unity of the country by providing quality service delivery to the nation irrespective of State or place of service.
Mobile clinic
The Chairman of, the NYSC National Governing Board, Ambassador Fatima Abubakar, thanked the First Lady for the donation of a Mobile Clinic to the NYSC, which has given greater impetus to the programme.
Mrs Abubakar, who also commended the Management of the scheme, supervising officials and the Corps medical personnel for sustaining the initiative, also acknowledged 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 appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to support the programme to enable them to extend their coverage to larger numbers of the underprivileged.
In his address, the Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed,
applauded the first lady for being supportive of the Scheme over the years and particularly identifying with NYSC.
“It is gratifying to note that Her Excellency, the First Lady, has shown more than a passing interest 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. I am pleased to report that the facility, which was handed over to the Scheme a year ago, has greatly enhanced the efficiency of our health interventions”.
The Director General, who commended the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and the NYSC National Governing Board, whose encouragement and support facilitated the success of the Scheme, also lauded individuals and corporate bodies that have contributed to the success of the HIRD since its inception.
Impact of HIRD
Speaking on the significant impact of the Scheme’s Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers, HIRD, he said that over three million Nigerians have benefitted from it.
“Like other developing countries, Nigeria faces challenges in its health sector, but concerted efforts are being made by various stakeholders, including the NYSC, with a view to making the system more functional.
“As a Scheme that has continued to expand its frontiers in the delivery of services to Nigerians through which Corps medical personnel comprising Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, and Dentists, amongst others, provide free and quality health care for the people, especially the rural poor”.
“We made other special interventions such as the administration of vaccines, sensitization of the community on HIV/AIDS prevention and sanitation, among others”, he explained.
While commending the relevant officers of NYSC and the Corps Medical Personnel for their commitment as drivers of the programme, Brigadier General Ahmed encouraged them to keep up the good work.
He assured Nigerians that the provision of quality health services will remain one of their priorities.
“We shall continue to work with various stakeholders to make the HIRD programme more impactful”.
The HIRD programme was launched in 2014 to ameliorate the difficulties faced by Nigerians, especially rural dwellers, in accessing quality health care.
Emmanuel Ukoh
