Keystone Bank Limited has distributed delivery kits to pregnant women in Jigawa State as part of efforts to support maternal health and safer childbirth in underserved communities.

The intervention, which benefited 150 expectant mothers, was carried out under the bank’s Employee Volunteering Scheme (EVS) Phase 2 Project, according to a statement issued by the Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, Izore Lami Bamawo.

The bank said the initiative was designed to improve access to essential maternal care supplies and contribute to safer delivery outcomes, particularly for vulnerable women who may struggle to afford basic childbirth materials.

Speaking during the outreach, Nasiru Ibrahim, the bank’s Regional Head for the Northwest, said the programme complements the maternal health efforts of the Jigawa State Government under Governor Umar Namadi’s Safemotherhood Initiative.

“This initiative is designed to support the state’s commitment to improving maternal and child health across Jigawa,” Ibrahim said. “We recognise that maternal health is foundational to sustainable development. When mothers are safe, families and communities are stronger.”

He added that the Employee Volunteering Scheme reflects the institution’s broader corporate social responsibility framework, which encourages staff to identify and implement community-based interventions across Nigeria.

The delivery kits, which typically contain sterile gloves, disinfectants, maternity pads, baby clothing and other essential items, are intended to reduce preventable complications during childbirth and promote hygienic delivery practices.

Maternal health remains a pressing issue in parts of northern Nigeria, where access to skilled birth attendants and adequate medical supplies can be limited, especially in rural communities. Public health experts have consistently identified safe delivery materials and early antenatal care as critical components in reducing maternal and infant mortality.

Also speaking at the event, Hadizat Abdulwahab, Commissioner for Women Affairs in Jigawa State, welcomed the support and stressed the importance of collaboration between government and the private sector in addressing maternal health challenges.

She described the donation as timely and beneficial, particularly for families facing economic hardship. “This support promotes safe and dignified delivery for expectant mothers and strengthens ongoing efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the state,” she said.

The commissioner urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the kits and encouraged women to seek early antenatal care and deliver in healthcare facilities rather than at home without skilled assistance.

The Employee Volunteering Scheme remains one of Keystone Bank’s key community engagement platforms, covering health, education, empowerment and environmental initiatives nationwide. Through the scheme, staff members are directly involved in planning and executing outreach programmes in host communities.

While such interventions do not replace the need for broader structural healthcare reforms, stakeholders say they can provide immediate relief and help bridge gaps in access, particularly in areas where maternal health indicators remain fragile.