A former military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), on Monday launched the NYSC rural healthcare initiative in his Kanke Local Government of Plateau, with a call for its sustenance to improve the lot of rural dwellers.

Gowon, the founding father of the NYSC scheme, in a brief speech at the ceremony, described the programme as “very laudable”.

“Establishing the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers (HIRD), is a product of good thinking.

“It is one laudable initiative we must all support and strive to promote so that the rural dweller will not feel neglected in the Nigerian project,” he said.

Represented by his younger brother, Dr. Dauda Gowon, the former military leader said that the scheme was particularly crucial in promoting a peaceful and healthy society, stressing that the free health services the initiative would provide, was a “huge blessing” to the Nigerian society.

In his speech, Plateau Governor, Simon Lalong, said that the scheme would complement the state government’s efforts toward providing accessible healthcare delivery to the poor and the hapless, especially those in the rural dwellers.

He promised to support the initiative, and appealed to the NYSC authorities to give the scheme the special attention it deserved.

In his remarks, NYSC Director-General, who was represented by the Plateau Coordinator of the scheme, Mr Abdulrazak Salawu, said that the programme was aimed at providing healthcare intervention through partnership between NYSC medical corps and other health personnel.

“We expect that the partnership will boost healthcare delivery to the rural dwellers and improve their living standard,” he said.