By Haruna Gimba
The Jelani Aliyu Foundation has offered a free medical outreach to about 1,000 rural dwellers in five communities of Sokoto and Kebbi States.
The Chairman of the foundation, Mr Jelani Aliyu, stated this at the launch of the programme on Sunday at Dogondaji community in Tambuwal Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Aliyu explained that the programme tagged ‘Rural Health Connect’ was aimed at complementing government efforts on healthcare delivery.
He said the selected communities included Dogondaji, Nabaguta, Sabawa and Madara in Sokoto state, and Kurya in Gwandu Local Government Area of Kebbi state.
Aliyu explained that the initiative was also aimed at bringing volunteer healthcare professionals to rural communities in need.
“It was started at Dogondaji, the birthplace of my parents, which is about 50 kilometres away from Sokoto metropolis. The foundation plans to extend the initiative to other parts of Sokoto state and into nearby communities in Kebbi state by connecting more and more rural residents with quality volunteer healthcare professionals.
“The scheme is designed to be a sustainable transportation and operational support platform for the volunteer doctors, registered nurses and other health professionals,” Aliyu said.
According to him, beneficiaries are being consulted by doctors and other health professionals who also offered counseling on the need for further treatment when there is need.
Aliyu added that drugs and other consumables are being provided by the foundation free and urged beneficiaries to adhere to prescribed medications.
“I belief in community members to come together and play our individual roles toward a bright new Nigeria of incredible
accomplishment as a nation of abundance, peace and prosperity,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries of the programme, Malama Hauwa’u Shehu, Bilkisu Chika, Mardiyya Abubakar and Dangata Umaru, expressed appreciation over the gesture and appealed to other wealthy individuals and philanthropic organisations to emulate the donor.
Health Reporters reports that the founder is an internationally recognised automotive designer, who designed the Chevrolet Volt Electric Car for General Motors.
He is also the current Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
