The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has launched its third quarter free Health Initiative for 500 Rural Dwellers (HIRD) in Niger.

The NYSC state coordinator, Abdulwahab Alidat, launched the initiative at Pyata, Shata community in Bosso Local Government Area of the state.

She said that the health initiative was approved by Brig.-Gen. Yushau Ahmed, director general of NYSC, to provide free medical consultation, counsel, diagnosis, treatment and free drugs for people in rural areas.

“The programme is conducted every quarter of the year in some communities. Corps medical personnel are used to reach out to members of the community,” she said.

Mrs Alidat commended the large turnout of members of the community and appealed to them to avail themselves of the programme to communicate their health challenges to the corps medical personnel for proper treatment.

According to her, any medical case that needs referral, such people will be referred to a higher health facility for adequate medical treatment.

In his remarks, the district head of Pyata, Ibrahim Umaru, appreciated NYSC for the health initiative aimed at providing free healthcare services to members of the community.

Similarly, chairman of Bosso Local Government, Ladidi Bawa, appreciated the director general of NYSC for considering the community and the council as beneficiaries of the health initiative.

Ms Bawa, represented by Danlami Nagau, secretary of the council, said the council would continue to collaborate with organisations with interest in bringing its activities to benefit and develop the council.

Part of the activities was the sensitisation of members of the community on malaria prevention and treatment by corps Anietie Ime-Etuk.

(NAN)