The chairman of Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon Kemi Nshe, has disclosed that his administration has offered special incentives to NYSC medical professionals serving at the grassroots to strengthen healthcare delivery in the area.
Nshe also expressed his administration’s determination to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare services for residents of the local government area.
“We give a doctor serving in Shendam free accommodation and pay them N150,000 as allowance from start to end. Nurses, pharmacists, and lab technologists get N70,000. This is to encourage more professionals to come to Shendam,” Dr Nshe said.
The chairman made the disclosure during a two-day free medical outreach organised in collaboration with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Shendam at the weekend.
The health initiative provided free consultations, tests, and drugs to over 600 residents who ordinarily could not afford hospital bills.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr Nshe said the partnership was built on a 20-year relationship with the NYSC, dating back to 2003.
“I’ve had a very robust relationship with the NYSC since 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006, even before I became chairman. My hotel in this town was given to them free of charge for over 22 years to carry out their activities,” he said.
He added that the free medical outreach was just one of many health interventions planned, noting that the 17 local government areas in Plateau State would also benefit from the NYSC Health Initiative in the coming months.
Nshe said his focus remained on building a robust health sector in Shendam, adding that since assuming office, he had constructed clinics in almost all wards and was currently building a modern laboratory.
The chairman commended President Bola Tinubu and Governor Caleb Mutfwang for their leadership, saying all three tiers of government were working to provide the people with the dividends of democracy despite limited resources.
Plateau State NYSC Coordinator, Jonathan Yavala, in his remarks, said the programme tagged Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers is carried out quarterly to provide free health services to rural communities.
“We have attended to more than 400 people and still counting. By the end of the day, we may have more than 600 to 700 beneficiaries,” Mr Yavala stated.
He said the team came with 11 doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and laboratory scientists, adding that they had to restock drugs due to the large turnout of residents.
According to him, the services rendered included tests for Hepatitis B and C, malaria, blood sugar checks, and the distribution of free drugs.
“It’s been very successful. We exhausted our drugs and had to get more today,” the coordinator added.
The Long Gaemai of Shendam, HRH Martins Shaldas III, commended the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention for vulnerable residents who could not afford medical treatment.
Meanwhile, residents who benefited from the outreach, Miskhoom Silas Nda and Josephine Yilmen, expressed gratitude to the chairman and the NYSC, describing the initiative as timely and life-saving.
