Residents and leaders of Elekahia community in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area of Rivers, on Wednesday commended the National Youth Service Corps’ (NYSC) Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD).
NYSC flagged-off the 2016 HIRD program in Elekahia community on Oct. 11.
Mr Temple Aholu, an elder in the community and Chairman, Council of Owhor title holders, said in Port Harcourt that the initiative was laudable.
“I thank NYSC for bringing the program to my community. This is the first time, ever since I was born that I am seen a selfless service like this in my community.
“God bless the management of NYSC for thinking out a program that communities will have direct benefit from,’’ he said.
Aholu said that the HIRD had educated had equipped them better on how to go about their health.
Chief Priscilla Akorolo, wife of the paramount ruler of the community, said that elders, women and youths were going to benefit from the free healthcare service from the corps members.
Akorolo said that the enlightenment carried out by the corps members would help the women and elders to know what to do when they discover any symptom in their bodies.
“A lot of people these days don’t see well, they feel pains always and they don’t know the cause of these medical issues.
“So, the lessons learnt from the program will assist us to know when we see some of these signs, whatever it is, and go for the required treatment,’’ she said.
The wife of the paramount ruler thanked NYSC for the uncommon service it was rendering to the society.
Mrs Tina Wolucho, a women leader, said she was happy that NYSC brought free medical service to the doorstep of rural dwellers.
“You can see some old women who cannot go from one place to the other are able to come to the community hall to be attended to.
“If you look at their faces, you can see how they are happy because the service is free,’’ she said.
Mr Kingsley Sunday, an indigene of Akwa Ibom but resident in the community, expressed joy that they would be treated free because many of them did not have money for medicals.
Mrs Ifeoma Ifeanyi, another resident, said it was the most laudable program from a government institution she had ever seen.