The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Tuesday extended its commitment to community development by organising a comprehensive free medical outreach for residents of the Aduwawa community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
The programme, part of the NYSC’s Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), offered a wide range of services, including general medical consultations, eye screening and care, health education, free medications, and referrals for specialised treatment where necessary. It also featured hypertension screening and sensitisation sessions on disease prevention and healthy living practices.
A team of dedicated corps members, comprising doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and optometrists, attended to scores of residents during the exercise.
While declaring the outreach open, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr. Fasina Adedotun, explained that the initiative was designed to bridge healthcare gaps in underserved rural communities. He noted that the medical team provided primary consultations, dispensed available drugs, and referred patients requiring advanced care to secondary and tertiary health facilities.
Adedotun encouraged residents to openly discuss their health concerns with the medical personnel, stressing the importance of following professional advice for better health outcomes.
The outreach began with informative sessions on hypertension, covering its causes, symptoms, prevention, management, and potential complications. Participants were also educated on various infectious diseases, including how they spread and effective preventive measures.
Representing the Chairman of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Mr. Harrison Osawe urged residents to fully cooperate with the medical team by providing accurate information about their health conditions to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
He commended the NYSC for the impactful gesture, describing it as a valuable contribution to the wellbeing of the community.
The NYSC Zonal Inspector in Benin, Mr. Paul Emmanuel, revealed that Aduwawa was chosen for the outreach in appreciation of the community’s consistent support and hospitality towards corps members posted to the area. “This outreach is our way of giving back to the people of Aduwawa for their kindness and cooperation,” he stated.
HIRD remains one of NYSC’s flagship community development programmes, through which medical corps members deliver essential healthcare services to rural populations across Nigeria.
The initiative has been widely applauded by residents, many of whom expressed gratitude for the opportunity to receive professional medical attention without financial burden. The exercise is expected to significantly improve health awareness and outcomes in the community.
