By Ayomide Otitoju
Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has donated maternity kits to 30 pregnant women at the Mushin Primary Health Centre (PHC), Lagos. The initiative, spearheaded by the Great Minds Inductees Class, was executed under the Fidelity Helping Hands Program (FHHP), the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform designed to encourage staff involvement in community development.
Through the FHHP, Fidelity Bank staff identify impactful projects within their communities and raise funds to implement them. The bank matches these contributions, doubling the impact and providing additional resources to bring the projects to fruition.
Supporting Maternal Health
Speaking during the handing-over ceremony, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division at Fidelity Bank, emphasized the critical need to support pregnant women.
“This project was borne out of the need to provide essential materials for safe deliveries. Maternal mortality remains a significant public health challenge in Nigeria, accounting for 28.5% of global maternal deaths, according to a 2023 United Nations report. As a bank committed to improving the welfare of our host communities, we deemed it necessary to address this challenge through this donation,” Dr. Nwagboh stated.
Community Impact
The Medical and Health Officer for Mushin Local Government Area, Dr. Kayode Odufuwa, commended Fidelity Bank for its intervention, noting that it would help reduce maternal mortality and encourage more women from underprivileged backgrounds to register for antenatal care.
“This initiative will positively impact maternal health and we hope for continued collaboration with Fidelity Bank to enhance healthcare services within Mushin,” said Dr. Odufuwa, speaking on behalf of the Mushin LGA Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Bamgboye.
Mrs. Bolanle Odunlami, Apex Nurse and Deputy Director of Nursing Services in Mushin LGA, praised the donation as a timely relief for many mothers. “Fidelity Bank has shown true empathy by addressing a pressing need in our community, and we are deeply grateful,” she said.
Beneficiary Testimonials
One of the recipients, Mrs. Mary Olusanya, expressed her appreciation, saying, “I thank Fidelity Bank for helping us. Many pregnant women cannot afford these kits, but this donation ensures we can have safe deliveries and better healthcare.”
