By Adam Muhammad, Gusau
The National Youth Service Corps Zamfara state branch has Thursday conducted a free medical exercise for hundreds of residents of Bungudu Town in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The programme tagged “1st Quarter Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers(HIRD)” was held at the Temporary Site of Bungudu Primary School.
As early as 9.00am, hundreds of women, men, youths and the elderly had gathered at the venue waiting to be attended to by the corps medical team.
Speaking at the launch of the programme, the NYSC Zamfara State coordinator, Alhaji Abdulsalam Alhassan commended members of the community for the huge turn out and the reception accorded the NYSC team.
He explained that the free health initiative which is targeted at the less privileged is part of efforts by the scheme to make its presence felt in the rural areas.
His words, “HIRD is our own way of making our presence known to the community and it is a programme where our corps medical personnel made up doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other allied professionals will examine you and give you drugs free of charge”.
“There is no payment for anything and this is part of various initiatives by the scheme to contribute to the development of the society”, he said.
He urged the people to maximize the opportunity to get medical assistance and feel free to talk to the doctors about their health condition.
Also speaking, the Sole Administrator Bungudu LGA, represented by the Director, Socials, Umar Sani Rawaiya commended the scheme for the laudable initiative.
He noted that under the current administration, things are improving in the state and called for the deployment of more corps members to the state, assuring that they will be well taken care of.
Alhaji Umar, on behalf of the council later donated drugs and soft drinks for refreshment to assist in the smooth implementation of the programme.
In his remark, the Acting District Head, Bungudu Town, Alhaji Yahaya Marafa thanked the NYSC for choosing his community for the gesture and prayed for the sustenance of the scheme.
Highlights of the exercise were sensitization on basic health topics by Corps Doctors, medical screening and distribution of drugs to patients.
