TheCable

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) says it intends to deploy medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other medical professionals to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps nationwide.

Sule Kazaure, director-general of NYSC, made this known on Thursday while flagging off the NYSC intervention programme at Damare IDP camp in Yola, Adamawa state.

Kazaure said that the deployment of NYSC to the camps was part of the scheme’s contribution to government’s efforts in assisting displaced persons.

“This programme, which is designed to bring succour to the inmates in this centre, is also intended to compliment government’s efforts towards provision of the welfare needs of members of IDPs nationwide,” he said.

“The scheme, therefore, will deploy the services of corps professionals such as medical doctors, nurses, pharmacist, etc to the centre to assist federal government in the provision of medical and other sundry needs of the IDPs.

“Specifically, corps members will be participating in medical outreaches, environmental sanitation, educational intervention and general awareness creation on healthy living.”

Kazaure also said the scheme would use the opportunity provided by the programme to distribute food items and other materials to the IDPs.

He said the flag-off of the intervention programme was his major official assignment outside Abuja, describing it as proof of the importance attached by NYSC attached to the plight of the IDPs.

He urged other wealthy Nigerians and corporate organisations to assist government in rehabilitating IDPs in the country.

He also commended the military, NEMA, Red Cross, NGOs and various faith-based organisations for their contributions to welfare of IDPs.

“I want to thank you all, especially, the corps members who despite all odds are currently serving in the state,” Kazaure said.

The leader of IDPs in Damare camp, Mallam Modu Gana, lauded the intervention programme of the NYSC, describing it as “timely”.

Muhammadu Jibrilla, governor of Adamawa, and Sa’ad Bello, the state coordinator of NEMA,  also lauded NYSC for the gesture, which saying it reflects one of the objectives of the scheme.