The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Tuesday provided free medical services to residents of Aduwawa community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo under its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD).
The outreach featured free medical consultations, eye care services, health education, medications, referrals for specialized treatment, hypertension screening and sensitization on disease prevention and healthy living.
Medical personnel comprising corps members who are doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and optometrists attended to scores of residents during the exercise.
Declaring the outreach open, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr Fasina Adedotun, said the initiative was aimed at improving access to healthcare in underserved communities.
According to him, the programme offered primary medical consultations, free medications and referrals for patients requiring further treatment at secondary and tertiary health facilities.
“We have brought doctors, physiotherapists, optometrists, pharmacists and nurses to attend to you. Please listen to their advice because this is a primary consultation.
“Those who require further attention will be referred to the General Hospital or Teaching Hospital. We will provide available drugs, while those requiring additional treatment should ensure they follow up at the referral hospitals,” he said.
Adedotun urged residents to take advantage of the exercise by discussing their health concerns openly with the medical team.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the outreach commenced with health education sessions on hypertension, during which residents were enlightened on its causes, symptoms, prevention, management and possible complications.
The corps medical team also educated participants on infectious diseases, their causes, modes of transmission and preventive measures.
Representing the Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Mr Sino Osawaro, his Special Assistant, Mr Harrison Osawe, urged residents to cooperate with healthcare professionals to derive maximum benefit from the programme.
“Please pay attention to the doctors. Tell them what you are passing through so they can properly examine you, recommend appropriate treatment and prescribe the right medication. That way, you will return home healthier,” he said.
Osawe commended the NYSC team for the outreach, describing it as a commendable gesture.
Earlier, the NYSC Zonal Inspector in Benin, Mr Paul Emmanuel, said Aduwawa was selected for the outreach in recognition of the community’s longstanding support and hospitality to corps members.
“NYSC is known for impacting lives. We have mobilized doctors and nurses to give back to society through this free medical outreach.
“Based on reports from our corps members, this community has been very supportive to NYSC.
“This outreach is our way of appreciating the people of Aduwawa for their kindness and cooperation,” he said.
NAN reports that HIRD is a flagship NYSC community development programme through which medical corps members provide free healthcare services to underserved rural communities across the country.(NAN).
