The National Youth Service Corps has said that it would continue to deploy all resources at its disposal to compliment Federal Government's efforts towards achieving universal health coverage as part of its social welfare programmes.

The Director General of NYSC, Brigadier General YD Ahmed stated this while flagging off the nationwide first quarter 2024 of Special Health Initiative For Rural Dwellers (HIRD) programme held at Sarki-Gosa Community in Abuja.

He said the HIRD is a platform on which the NYSC caters for the health needs of the rural dwellers, who have little or no access to quality healthcare.

"In driving this initiative, we leverage the expertise of Corps Medical Personnel, such as Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists, and Laboratory Scientists, that are deployed to render free and qualitative medical services to communities across the country. We also mobilize medical consumables, including drugs, to treat ailments, while referrals are made to relevant health facilities when necessary", the DG said.

General Ahmed stated further that since the commencement of the programme, the Scheme has reached out to more than three million Nigerians through sensitization on causes and prevention of diseases, treatment of ailments and referrals, while the target is to reach at least five hundred thousand additional beneficiaries before the end of this year.

He attributed the successes recorded in the programme over the years to the support from various stakeholders, especially those that provided resources, such as drugs and other consumables.

He lauded the Government Agencies, non-governmental organizations as well as public-spirited individuals that have continued to lend helping hands towards sustaining the initiative.

The Director General also commended the patriotic zeal of the successive batches of Corps Members, who have been the field workers of the HIRD in all States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He urged them to sustain the tempo of commitment and continue to be shining examples for other youths on humanitarian services.

The Director, Community Development Service and Special Projects, Hajiya Zainab Isah in her introductory address said the NYSC interventions on free medical services that started ten years ago have brought succour to thousands of indigent Nigerians.

She disclosed that the Health Intervention Programme that would span over two days would include sensitization on causes and prevention of diseases, diagnosis, checkups and treatment of a wide range of ailments.

"For this flag-off, we have mobilized 50 Corps Medical personnel comprising 20 doctors, 12 Pharmacists, 10 Nurses, 8 Medical Laboratory Scientists to attend to Members of this community", the Director said.

In his appreciation to NYSC Management, the District Head of Gosa-Sarki, Mr Ishaku Nana poured encomiums on the Corps Medical Personnel, adding that access to quality healthcare services is one of the numerous needs of the community.