The Chairman of Okpe Local Government, Hon. Isaiah Esiovwa, has commended NYSC healthcare professionals for providing free medical consultations to rural dwellers in Orerokpe community. The commendation was made during the flag-off ceremony of a two-day Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), a program organized by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Orerokpe chapter.
The event took place at the Orerokpe Cenotaph in Orerokpe, headquarters of Okpe Local Government Area.
Hon. Esiovwa, who was represented by his deputy, Pastor Mrs. Mary Otikire, noted that many rural dwellers face challenges in accessing quality healthcare services due to shortages of professionals and inadequate resources. He expressed delight that the HIRD program is addressing these challenges by providing free medical consultations, health screenings, and essential medications.
The Director-General of the NYSC, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Oluseye, stated that the HIRD program aims to promote the wellbeing of indigent persons at the grassroots level by providing easy access to medical care and free quality healthcare. The DG, who was represented by Philip Isibor head of Corps welfare and health service stated that the program is implemented through medical outreaches in communities across the country, where corps members volunteer to carry out diagnoses, treatments, and referrals of patients free of charge,The 2025 centrally coordinated medical outreach has its theme “Health is Wealth for Advancement.”
The NYSC Director-General, Brig. Gen. Olakunle Oluseye, appealed to cooperative bodies and well-meaning Okpe indigenes to support the establishment of a mobile clinic, which would expand the outreach’s impact.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to NYSC corps members for the initiative, urging other organizations to follow suit.
