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For millions of Nigerians in rural areas lacking access to healthcare and guidance from healthcare professionals, there is respite as the Jelani Aliyu Foundation formally launched its ‘Rural Health Connect’ initiative. The foundation kicked off operation December 30th, 2018.
The initiative, unveiled in the rustic settlement of Dogondaji, Sokoto state, northwest Nigeria, targets bringing volunteer healthcare professionals to rural communities in need. Dogondaji is the birthplace of the parents of Jelani Aliyu founder of the foundation which bears his name. The foundation will be running health missions to connect rural residents with quality volunteer health care professionals.
Jelani Aliyu Foundation unveils ‘Rural Health Connect’ initiative
Jelani is the inventor of the Chevy volt and director general of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC). The first mission by the foundation will cover Dogondaji the nearby towns of Kurya, Nabaguda, Madara and Sabawa. The mission is expected to then extend to other parts of Sokoto and Kebbi states.
“The initiative is characterized by an off-road, go anywhere mobile medical platform which is optimized for traversing rough terrain to get to communities in remote areas. It is configured to be a transportation and operational support platform for the volunteer doctors, registered nurses, and other health professionals.
“This particular first mission would provide general outreach to a targeted one thousand beneficiaries, with special additional attention to pregnant women: it consists of a team of nine doctors and gynecologists, three dentists, seven nurses, a biomedical, a lab technician, a pharmacist and six medical students. The team would carry out diagnosis and give out free medication, they would also advise on general and specific cases.
This initiative provides an opportunity for committed doctors, nurses and health professionals to help in making a difference to their communities.
The founder, Jelani Aliyu is an internationally recognized Automotive Designer, who designed the Chevrolet Volt Electric Car for General Motors, and is currently back in Nigeria to help support the development of the nation’s automotive sector as the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council.
The Jelani Aliyu Foundation believes that we must all come together and play our individual roles to usher in a bright new Nigeria of incredible accomplishments, a new nation of abundance, peace and prosperity, a new Nigeria where the problems we now face would by then have been relegated to the pages of history.
