By JKNewsMedia Reporter
MEDICAL DEBTS that had kept families stranded in hospital wards were settled as financial support and essential supplies reached indigent patients, children with chronic illnesses and pregnant women at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane.
The intervention came from Fidelity Bank Plc, which offset outstanding medical bills, provided additional financial assistance to children battling chronic health conditions and donated ante natal kits to expectant mothers receiving care at the facility.
The outreach was delivered through the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme and it was funded and executed by newly inducted employees of the bank, known as the Optimizers Inductees Class, as their chosen community impact project.
Fidelity Bank said it provided matching financial support to ensure the initiative was fully delivered.
Speaking during the outreach, the Divisional Head of Brand and Communications Division at Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, said the intervention reflected the bank’s commitment to improving lives through targeted social initiatives across its four Corporate Social Responsibility pillars.
“This project reflects the spirit of who we are as a bank. Beyond providing financial services, we are committed to touching lives within the communities where we operate,” Nwagboh said.
He explained that the outreach focused on easing the burden on families who had remained in hospital due to unpaid medical bills, while also supporting pregnant women and children requiring extended medical care.
“Today, we are donating ante natal kits to pregnant women and also supporting indigent patients who have remained in the hospital due to unpaid bills.
Some of the children also require long term medical care, so we have given additional financial support to aid their continued treatment,” he said.
Nwagboh wished the beneficiaries quick recovery and good health, describing the intervention as significant and timely as he said the support would enable many families to reunite and celebrate the festive season without the burden of outstanding hospital debts.
At the hospital, the donation was received by the Chief Matron of the Children’s Ward, Esther Nnaji, who commended Fidelity Bank for what she described as timely assistance to families facing rising healthcare costs.
“There are so many families here in desperate need,” Nnaji said. “Some of the children are battling cancer, sickle cell disease and other chronic conditions.”
She said the bank’s intervention would ease the pain faced by families who had exhausted their resources while seeking care for their children.
“Fidelity Bank’s support will go a long way in relieving their pain. Because of what you have done, some of these children will now be able to see their siblings again,” she said.
Several beneficiaries also expressed gratitude to the bank for clearing their hospital bills and easing financial pressure that had weighed heavily on their families.
Mrs Adaeze Ilo, whose baby’s medical bill was cleared during the outreach, said the support arrived when her family had lost hope of raising the required funds after spending months in the hospital.
“After spending months in the hospital, we had no idea how to raise the money,” she said. “Fidelity Bank came through for us when we needed it the most. We are deeply grateful.”
Another beneficiary, Jane Anthony, whose son’s bill was also settled, said her family had resigned itself to spending the Christmas period in the hospital due to the unpaid charges.
“God used Fidelity Bank to send us home to enjoy Christmas. My heart is full,” she said.
