The National Youth Service Corps has taken its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers to Jigawa State, delivering free medical care to 757 patients across underserved communities in the state. The outreach, driven by corps medical personnel and supported by local stakeholders, targeted residents who face distance, cost, and access barriers to basic healthcare.
Flagging off the programme, the Jigawa State Coordinator, Hajiya Aisha Adamu, said the initiative is part of the NYSC’s nationwide mandate to “deliver professional healthcare to the nooks and crannies” of Nigeria. She noted that the Director General approved the 2021/2023 health initiative rollout across all 36 states, with Jigawa’s edition focusing on rural towns where health posts are few and household incomes are stretched.
For two days, a team of corps doctors, pharmacists, nurses, and lab scientists ran consultations, screenings, and treatment from a temporary clinic set up in the community. Common cases included malaria, typhoid, hypertension, diabetes, respiratory and urinary infections, skin conditions, and child health complaints. Patients received free diagnoses, drugs, and medical consumables, while health talks emphasized hygiene, disease prevention, and nutrition.
Community leaders praised the intervention as timely. The Village Head of Batali, Mallam Abdulaziz Usman, speaking for beneficiaries, thanked NYSC for choosing the town and urged residents to take advantage of the services. Several local philanthropists and the state government complemented the scheme by donating drugs, ensuring the medical team had adequate supplies to meet demand.
Beyond treatment, the outreach doubles as a data and sensitization tool. NYSC officials explained that each HIRD programme not only relieves immediate suffering but also helps track seasonal disease patterns and health needs for national planning. The scheme, active since 2014, has reached millions of Nigerians through clinics in all 774 local government areas.
As the Jigawa edition wrapped up with 757 patients attended to, NYSC reaffirmed its commitment to bridging healthcare gaps at the grassroots. For many residents, it was the first time in months they saw a doctor without worrying about transport fares or drug costs — proof that “service” in National Youth Service Corps still means showing up where it matters most.