The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has launched the 2026 third-quarter edition of its Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), providing free medical services to residents of Umuda-Isingwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.
The medical outreach, held at the Umuda-Isingwu Community Hall on Thursday, offered hundreds of rural residents access to essential healthcare services at no cost, reaffirming the scheme’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery in underserved communities.
Declaring the programme open, the NYSC Abia State Coordinator, Alhaji Yunusa Tanimu, described the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers as one of the scheme’s flagship community development programmes aimed at bridging healthcare gaps and easing the burden of medical expenses for vulnerable Nigerians.
He explained that the initiative deploys corps members in the medical field, supported with drugs and equipment donated by individuals and organisations, to provide free healthcare services in rural communities.
According to him, beneficiaries received general medical consultations, health screenings, dental care, eye examinations, immunisation, health education and counselling.
“The NYSC Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers remains one of the flagship community development programmes of the National Youth Service Corps.
“Through this intervention, the scheme continues to bridge healthcare gaps while bringing hope and relief to those who need it most.
“These services are being provided free of charge in line with our determination to reduce the burden of healthcare costs and promote healthier communities,” Tanimu said.
The state coordinator commended the corps doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses and laboratory scientists who volunteered their expertise for the exercise and encouraged residents, particularly children, youths and the elderly, to take full advantage of the opportunity.
“Good health remains the foundation upon which every thriving family and prosperous community is built. Indeed, health is wealth,” he added.
Tanimu also applauded the Executive Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Smart Iheoma, and the Chima Anyaso Foundation for supporting the outreach.
“Your commitment to improving access to healthcare for vulnerable communities is truly commendable. By partnering with the NYSC on this life-changing initiative, you have demonstrated that meaningful development is best achieved through collaboration and compassion,” he said.
He further appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists and development partners to continue supporting the initiative through donations and strategic partnerships to enable the programme to reach more rural communities across Abia State.
Also speaking, the President of the NYSC Medical and Health Community Development Service Group in Abia State, Dr. Marvellous Osarhiaekhimen, explained that the outreach forms part of the quarterly Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers programme.
“This one we are doing is for the third quarter, July 2026. We go to villages to conduct free medical outreach for rural dwellers,” she said.
Osarhiaekhimen noted that the medical team comprised doctors, optometrists, dentists, laboratory scientists, nurses and pharmacists, providing comprehensive primary healthcare services.
“We offer primary care, including consultation and drugs for conditions that can be managed. Anything that requires surgery or is an emergency, we refer to the Federal Medical Centre,” she stated.
She added that health education formed an important aspect of the programme, with healthcare professionals educating residents on the prevention of common diseases.
According to her, more than 300 residents registered to benefit from the outreach.
One of the beneficiaries, 83-year-old Mrs. Joy Nkemakolam, described the exercise as one of the largest free medical outreaches ever organised in the community.
She praised the NYSC and the Chima Anyaso Foundation for bringing quality healthcare to elderly residents who could not afford hospital treatment.
Other beneficiaries also commended the initiative, saying it had restored hope to many families while demonstrating how partnerships between government institutions and private organisations could improve grassroots healthcare delivery.
The outreach attracted traditional rulers, community leaders and residents of Umuda-Isingwu, who turned out in large numbers to benefit from the free medical services.