National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members serving in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo State under the aegis of Health and Medical Community Development Service group have sensitised the community about Lassa fever epidemic.
The sensitisation programme which was held at Stella Maris College, Okitipupa, was meant to educate the community on the need to take good care of themselves and live a healthy life.
Declaring the programme open, the State Coordinator, NYSC, Ondo State, Mrs. Grace Akpabio, called on the citizens to always check their health status and not wait till the situation got out of hand before visiting the hospital.
Akpabio said that various ailments and diseases were very common, hence the need for members of the general public to seek medical attention from competent and licenced medical practitioners, and desist from seeking assistance from quacks who she said were only out to exploit their ignorance.
The coordinator who was represented by the Local Government Inspector, Mr. Babatunde Oyelami, thanked the corps members for flying high the banners of NYSC in that community and for bracing all odds to get drugs and other medical equipment for the outreach.
She appreciated the principal of Stella Maris College, Chief Lijoka, for releasing the school hall for corps members’ use.
The president of the CDS group, Dr. Owoyemi Olanrewaju, encouraged them to tell the medical personnel present the true states of their health.
During the programme, the corps members provided free medical services and check up on HIV, Hepatitis B, Random Blood Glucose and sugar level among others on 420 members of the community that made themselves available.
The beneficiaries were counselled and tutored on the health risks associated with certain ailments and how best to live a healthy and happy life.
Also, drugs were given on some diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, malaria, while referrals were made to the nearby health facility on some serious cases the corps members could not handle.
The corps members at the end of the programme appreciated the NYSC for giving them the opportunity to impact on the society, and the donors which included Dr. Edino, the pharmaceutical companies, Synako, Okusai, Fresher and Cedarbest for supporting the initiative.
