By Oyinkansayo Wole-Bodunde.
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, has shown its commitment to community development through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Fidelity Helping Hands Program (FHHP).
Recently, the bank donated maternity kits to 30 pregnant women at the Mushin Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Lagos.
The donation was facilitated by the Great Minds Inductees Class and made possible through the FHHP, which encourages staff involvement in community development projects. The program allows staff to identify projects that benefit their immediate community and raise funds to implement them. Afterwards, the bank’s management matches the contribution with an equivalent amount, allocating it to the chosen projects.
At the handing-over ceremony, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, emphasized the importance of supporting pregnant women with essential materials for a safe delivery. He noted that death during childbirth remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, with the country accounting for a substantial amount of global maternal deaths.
Dr. Nwagboh stated, “The project was borne out of the need to support pregnant women by providing them with essential materials for a safe delivery.” He also mentioned the statistic that nearly 28.5% of global maternal deaths occur in Nigeria, citing a 2023 United Nations report.
The Medical and Health Officer for Mushin Local Government Area, Dr. Kayode Odufuwa, expressed his appreciation for the bank’s gesture, stating that the intervention would help reduce maternal death and encourage more women from less-privileged backgrounds to register for antenatal care.
Dr. Odufuwa said, “This intervention by Fidelity Bank will help reduce maternal mortality and encourage more women from less-privileged backgrounds to register for antenatal care.” He also appealed for continued collaboration with the bank to further strengthen healthcare services within the area.
The Apex Nurse and Deputy Director of Nursing Services in Mushin LGA, Mrs. Bolanle Odunlami, commended Fidelity Bank for its kindness stating that the donation was very much needed to relief many mothers who are unable to afford essential delivery kits.
Mrs. Odunlami stated, “Fidelity Bank has truly shown empathy by coming to the aid of our patients, and for that, we are extremely grateful.”
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Mary Olusanya, expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the bank’s support, saying, “I appreciate Fidelity Bank for helping us. Many pregnant women cannot afford these kits, but this donation ensures that we can have safe deliveries and better healthcare.”
