Following the death of three members of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, the scheme, on Saturday, debunked the impression that the deaths were caused by the negligence by its personnel.
The NYSC expressed regret over the deaths and condoled the families of three corps members who died during the on-gong 2016 Batch ‘B’ (Stream I) Orientation Course in Bayelsa, Kano and Zamfara States respectively.
Recall that Ifedolapo Oladepo, who died at National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camp in Kano State on Tuesday was laid to rest on Thursday.
The Bayelsa State Orientation Camp in Kaiama, Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of the state witnessed the death of another female member, Miss Elechi Chinyerem, aged 27. while Udeme Monday, died in Zamfara State.
The NYSC has however set up “a high-powered committee” to investigate the causes of the death of the trio.
The NYSC Director-General, Brig. General, Suleiman Kazaure, in a statement issued in Abuja, said, “The death of the trio followed brief illnesses and after medical teams in the camps battled to save them in line with established procedures.
“However, in view of these unfortunate incidents in Bayelsa, Kano, and Zamfara states, management has set up a high-powered committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the loss the Corps members.
“The NYSC management appreciates the concern of stakeholders, and wishes to assure the general public, especially serving and prospective corps members as well as parents and guardians that the scheme will continue to take measures aimed at ensuring the security and general well-being of youths enlisted to serve the nation on its platform.
“Their demise, coming in their prime time when they were bracing up for further roles towards advancing their respective families, the nation and the rest of humanity, came as a rude shock to us in the NYSC family.
“On behalf of the management, staff and corps members nationwide, I wish to express our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased corps members. May the Almighty God grant them eternal rest and give their families and the rest of us the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses.
“While we mourn the demise of these corps members, who, out of patriotic zeal, answered the clarion call to serve their fatherland, we are constrained to correct the impression of negligence being created in some quarters.
“The management wishes to state that the welfare of corps members has always remained topmost in the priorities of the Scheme, and we have continued to strive to give our best in that regard.
“The policy of the scheme regarding healthcare during Orientation course provides for the setting up of camp clinic manned by qualified Doctors and other Corps Health Personnel.
“The clinics, which are also provided with drugs and other basic equipment, are detailed to render round-the-clock medical services on camp with standing arrangement to refer and ensure immediate movement of patients to more sophisticated health facilities when necessary.
“We want to inform the public that medical teams in our camps have always been guided by the procedures of practice and in the most professional ways possible,” the statement added.
