As part of the strategic programmes of the National Youth Service Corps, to bring medical care closer to people of the grassroots, today, members of the scheme in Lagos has flagged off its free health programme to the indigents of Surulere.
The Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) which is aimed at administering free drugs, medical consultation and examination to the people of the grassroots for three days was flagged off by the Executive Chairman of Surulere Local Government Area.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim who was represented by Mrs Femi-Ajayi Olufunmilayo appreciated the indigents for coming out for the programme, emphasising that the programme would not hold if they were not present.
Mrs Femi-Ajayi noted that the essence of the programme is to ensure that medical health is taken to the underprivileged who cannot access medical care.
In his address, the Executive Chairman of the Local Government, Honourable Bamidele Yusuf, while stressing the importance of the programme, appreciated the NYSC for its laudable efforts in providing free medical care to the people, which is similar to what the Local Government is doing.
He also appreciated the corps medical personnel who volunteered for the programme. He called on the indigents present to take advantage of the programme in order to be aware of their state of health which is paramount to their undertakings.
Honourable Yusuf also called on the prospective beneficiaries of the programme to reach out to their neighbours to be partakers of the programme.
As part of the programme, sensitisations on the prevention and treatment of hypertension and malaria were carried out by corps doctor Odulate Heebahtullah and Head of Medical Officers at the Local Government, Dr Odesanya Ramat.
Dominica Nwabufo
