NYSC TAKES MEDICAL OUT REACH TO TWO EBONYI LGAs

REPORTER: AMECHI ODO

The National Youth Service Scheme has embarked on medical outreach aimed at providing free health care services to at least one thousand indigent patients in Onitcha and Izzi Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State.

Launching the programme at Onitcha Central School, the Coordinator of the Scheme in the State, Mrs. Bamai Mercy, explained that it was part of its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers.

The Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) is a quarterly programme that commenced in 2015 in Ebonyi State as part of NYSC’s corporate social responsibilities.

Mrs. Mercy pointed out that the Health Initiative was designed to bring health needs to the door step of the poor and the vulnerable who might lack access to proper medical care.

‘’I am happy to disclose here that feedback from the communities that have benefitted from HIRD since its inaugural edition are bound in the joy of the beneficiaries whose health has improved and their lives made better,” she said.

The President General of Onitcha Igboeze Community, Mr. Isaac Chukwu, noted that the health programme would impact positively on the lives of members of the community and commended the NYSC for factoring the provision of health care to the people in its corporate social responsibilities.

“NYSC would not know how much they have impacted on the welfare of this community, you know it is said that health is wealth.

“So giving the whole persons here free medical treatment, I don’t know how much it will cost the Federal Government but that is savings to our people,’’ he stated.

Some of the benefiting patients expressed appreciation to the National Youth Service Scheme for the love shown to them.

The beneficiaries were not only treated but also sensitised to Malaria, Corona and Lassa fever viruses while some were provided with drugs and others given referrals.