In a commendable demonstration of community development, National Youth Service Corps Member Dr Kawonise Oyinade Sarah has successfully inaugurated a Preventive Medicine Clinic at the GOPD Block of the General Hospital, Dutse, Jigawa State.
Assigned to the Federal University Health Centre as her place of primary assignment, Dr Sarah spearheaded this initiative as her personal Community Development Service (CDS) project, benefiting her immediate community.
The Preventive Medicine Clinic, launched on June 11th, aims to prevent avoidable diseases and facilitate early treatment to enhance community health. “I believe the future is preventive medicine, which involves health education, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment. This can significantly improve the well-being of the people,” Dr Sarah stated in interview with WikkiTimes.
Acting State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr Yakubu Daniel, lauded Dr Sarah’s initiative and encouraged other Corps members to emulate her efforts. “Dr Sarah has done us proud; she didn’t just pass through her service year but acted as an agent of change in Jigawa State. She identified a need and, with the collaboration of well-meaning Nigerians, we are here to commission this today,” he said. Mr Daniel also urged the hospital management to maintain and improve the clinic.
The Director of Health Centre at the Federal University of Dutse (FUD) Dr Popoola Olamilekun praised Dr Sarah’s dedication and commitment, urging other Corps members to follow her example.
The Director of Accounting and Finance, Bashir Tukur, speaking on behalf of the Chief Medical Director General Hospital Dutse, expressed gratitude for Dr Sarah’s thoughtful gesture, which will significantly aid in preventing common communicable diseases.
Dr Sarah equipped the clinic with various medical supplies, including office furniture, a glucometer, digital and aneroid sphygmomanometers, urinalysis strips, latex gloves, stethoscopes, face masks, batteries, thermometers, hand wash, sanitizers, VDRL test kits, and fluorescent bulbs.
Notable attendees included Bursar FUD Hassan Balarabe, Deputy Registrar Mal Bala Isyaku, Head of NHIS Desk Officer Mal Abdullahi, Mal Ibrahim, Matron Asabe, Representative HOD GOPD Nurse Fatima, and Corps members Pharm Rosemary Eyidia, David Manasseh Ekpah, Dr Zaina Musa Umar, and Nurse Grace Okpe.
Beyond the clinic, Dr Sarah organised a preventive healthcare outreach for senior secondary female students at Dutse Capital School on June 24th in Jigawa State.
Recognising the community’s struggle with treatable diseases, she aimed to impart preventive health practices. “By teaching these girls the right way to prevent infections, they can avoid cervical cancer and other diseases,” she explained.
Over 200 female students benefited from sessions on menstrual hygiene, prevention of genital tract infections, and cervical cancer prevention. Free sanitary pads, panties, and detergent were also distributed.
Experts, including Dr Sarah, Dr Zainab Musa Umar, Nurse Grace Okpe, and Sadiya Alhaji Baba from the Public Health Unit FUD, led the outreach.
Mr Sebastin Bulus, Head of Community Development Services (CDS) in Jigawa State, highlighted the importance of personal community projects. “Personal Community Development projects in NYSC allow Corps members to explore and improve their communities. Dr Sarah’s project is vital and beneficial to the girl child,” he said, urging other Corps members to undertake similar initiatives.
Jigawa State Local Government Inspector Muhammed Nasiruddeen also commended Dr Sarah, emphasising the importance of addressing menstrual hygiene to prevent diseases and infections in local communities. “This is a legacy that will be remembered for a long time,” he said.
The female students expressed their gratitude, with Amina Karistin saying, “We learned a lot today, from cervical cancer prevention to menstrual hygiene and using sanitary pads. Thank you, Dr Sarah and her team, for this impactful session.”
Corp member Dr Kawonise Oyinade Sarah exemplifies the transformative impact of dedication and community service which the NYSC community service encourages for national development.
