4m Nigerians Benefit From NYSC Free Health Initiative

Over four million indigent Nigerians across the country have so far benefited from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers since the inception of the medical outreach in 2014.

This was disclosed on Wednesday by the NYSC Director General, Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, at the flag-off of the 2023 edition of the NYSC Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers (HIRD programme), held at Malaysia Garden Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) community, Garki, Abuja.

The DG noted more than two million patients from the number have been treated by the Corps Medical personnel due to the Scheme’s strive to enhance quality healthcare delivery for Nigerians

The Director General who was represented at the programme by the NYSC Director, Legal Services, Barrister Tijjani Ahmed Ibrahim added that NYSC has over the years collaborated with local and international health-based agencies in sustaining the HIRD programme.

He commended the Federal Government for giving priority to the health sector through the repositioning of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).

For his part, the secretary of the IDP, Ahmed Ibrahim commended NYSC for the gesture, describing it as a wonderful day for people living in the camp.

He urged government to establish a clinic in the camp so as to ease health challenges being faced by people in the camp, especially women and children.

In her address, the NYSC Director of Community Development Service and Special Projects, Mrs Zainab Isah said in its bid to deepen the impact of healthcare services in the country, NYSC launched the HIRD programme in 2014 as a platform for promoting the well-being of indigent persons at the grassroot by granting them easy access to free and quality healthcare.

She called on public spirited individuals, philanthropists, government and non-governmental organizations to partner with the Scheme in it’s quest to ensure a healthy society.