MINISTRY ASSURES NYSC OF CONTINUED SUPPORT
By Timothy Joseph
The Plateau State commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Musa Ashoms has stated that the ministry will continue to support the NYSC and its various programs aimed at improving the welfare of the youth and well-being of the people of Plateau State.
The commissioner stated this during the flag-off of the NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD) in conjunction with the Ministry for Youth and Sports Development at Zandi, Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State.
While declaring the free medical outreach open, Hon. Ashoms assured that the Mutfwang-led administration will continue to support the NYSC and other related agencies in providing healthcare services to the state.
According to him, this gesture is in alignment with the administration’s resolve to promote accessible, affordable, and community-based healthcare delivery to the citizens.
Hon. Ashoms urged members of the Zandi community to actively participate in the medical consultations, pay attention to the health council, and adhere to instructions by the medical personnel.
He commended the leadership of the National Youth Service Corps for bringing the event to his community and appreciated them for sustaining the initiative, even as he described it as one of the most laudable innovations of the scheme.
In his remark, state coordinator, National Youth Service Corps, Yavala Jonathan said the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers was introduced by the NYSC in 2014 as an organizational strategy developed in line with the corps corporate social responsibility where free medical services are taken to the doorstep of rural dwellers who cannot easily access proper medical care.
Speaking further, the coordinator affirmed that in the eleven-year history of the medical outreach program, hundreds of thousands of rural dwellers have been able to access free healthcare for complex and minor ailments at no cost, adding that the program has provided timely intervention for several fatal medical concerns.
According to Yavala, the scheme has taken the program to many rural communities, including Lur in Kanke LGA; Kwall and Miango, in Bassa LGA; and Angwere in Jos East LGA, among others. He revealed that the team is made up of qualified doctors, pharmacists, optometrists, dentists, nurses, and many others.
He stated that even though the scheme has sufficient human resources to reach out to as many Nigerians as possible, the scheme is constrained by logistical hurdles, lack of equipment and resources.
Some of the beneficiaries like the Adagum Zandi, Goje Azi , youth leader of the community, Itse Ishaku Sani and the Headmaster, Zandi Ekan Primary School, Ajiji Yohanna Bature, all commended Governor Mutfwang, Hon. Ashoms and the officials of the National Youth Service Corps for bringing free medical treatment to their community.
