Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Wednesday pledged to strengthen the partnership with National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and seek ways to expand its reach for improved health benefits of residents.
Aiyedatiwa made the pledge at the flag-off of the first quarter two-day Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) in Idanre Local Government Area, organised by NYSC.
Represented by Mrs Olukemi Okupe, Director for Youths, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Aiyedatiwa thanked NYSC management for supporting the state through the provision of free health initiatives for residents over the years.
The governor said the initiative “is another step towards a more holistic contribution to the continued good health and productivity of the people of Ondo State”.
He expressed his readiness to ensure the continuation of the initiative, and urged the community to fully participate in the exercise.
Also, Mrs Victoria Ani, Coordinator, NYSC Ondo State, described HIRD as an intervention programme of the NYSC management with the goal of mobilising volunteer corps medical personnel to the rural areas.
According to Ani, under normal circumstances, the rural dwellers will not be able to access medical attention as a result of neglect and remoteness of their location.
“The Director General, in his aspiration to reposition the scheme and be in the Vanguard to address the numerous hazard occasioned by health challenges and inadequacies, commenced the programme,” she said.
The coordinator also revealed that more than 1,600 residents of the state benefitted from the initiative last year and pledged to reach more residents this year.
Oba Frederick Aroloye, the Owa of Idanre, thanked NYSC and the Ondo State Government fresidnde initiative aand urged community members to participate in the programme.
Aroloye, who was represented by Chief Lomofe Odeyemi, appealed to community members to come out en masse for the free health programme, which he said was the first in the community.
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A beneficiary, Mrs Comfort Francis, who lauded the scheme, said that the corps medical personnel conducted blood pressure, blood sugar tests, and others, which revealed her hypertensive nature.
“I specifically came because I am hypertensive, and the tests revealed it.
“We were given drugs to manage our health problems and I am grateful to the NYSC management for this initiative,” she said. (NAN)
