By Ayomide Otitoju
Fidelity Bank Plc has enhanced access to maternal and child healthcare at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, through the settlement of medical bills for indigent patients, financial support for children with chronic health conditions and the donation of ante-natal kits to pregnant women.
The intervention was delivered under the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP). It was funded and executed by newly inducted employees of the bank, the Optimizers Inductees Class, as their community impact project, with matching financial support from Fidelity Bank.
Speaking during the outreach, the Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, said the initiative reflects the bank’s commitment to improving lives through targeted social interventions aligned with its four CSR pillars.
He explained that beyond providing financial services, Fidelity Bank remains focused on positively impacting communities where it operates. According to him, the outreach included the donation of ante-natal kits to expectant mothers and the settlement of outstanding hospital bills for indigent patients, many of whom had been unable to leave the hospital due to unpaid medical costs. Additional financial assistance was also provided to children requiring long-term medical care.
Dr. Nwagboh described the intervention as timely and impactful, noting that it would enable affected families to reunite and enjoy the festive season without the burden of outstanding hospital debts. He wished the beneficiaries quick recovery and good health.
Receiving the donation on behalf of the hospital, the Chief Matron of the Children’s Ward, Mrs. Esther Nnaji, commended Fidelity Bank for what she described as a lifeline for families struggling with the rising cost of healthcare.
She said several children at the facility are battling serious conditions such as cancer, sickle cell disease and other chronic illnesses, adding that the bank’s support would significantly ease the pain and financial pressure on affected families.
Beneficiaries also expressed gratitude to the bank for the assistance. Mrs. Adaeze Ilo, whose baby’s medical bill was cleared, said the support came at a time when her family had lost hope after spending months in the hospital without knowing how to raise the required funds.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Jane Anthony, whose son’s bill was also settled, said her family had resigned to spending Christmas in the hospital before the intervention. She described the support as a divine intervention that restored hope and joy to her family.
The outreach at ESUTH further underscores Fidelity Bank’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups and strengthening community wellbeing across Nigeria through community-driven CSR initiatives.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial deposit money bank serving over 9.1 million customers through its digital banking platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The bank has received several local and international awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation and MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards, the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award by Global Business Outlook, and recognition as Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence.
