Delta Sacks Health Workers Over Extortion of Pregnant Women, Children

The Delta State Government has dismissed several health workers found guilty of extorting money from pregnant women and children under five, despite the state’s free healthcare policy for these groups. Some others were demoted for related offences.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this on Saturday during the flag-off of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) Project Action Plan at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area.

He explained that monitoring of hospitals had been intensified to ensure funds released for maternal and child healthcare were properly utilised.

“Health workers in the state have done well, but in every twelve, there is a Judas. We have received reports of some collecting money from pregnant women and children under five for drugs, while still forwarding the bills to the government for payment,” Onojaeme said.

The commissioner reiterated that the state covers medical expenses of all pregnant women until delivery, as well as free treatment for children under five.

“We have demoted some of these fraudulent workers and sacked many within this short period. With continuous monitoring and the support of mothers, these practices will reduce,” he added.

Onojaeme urged residents to report any health worker demanding payment for maternal or child care, noting that the phone number of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Health Monitoring would soon be made public for such reports.

He also revealed that Delta’s maternal mortality rate had dropped from over 200 to less than 120 per 100,000 live births, expressing optimism that the MAMII Project would further lower the figures.

Representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. John Ovuoraye reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support for states in tackling maternal and neonatal deaths.

He disclosed that 172 local government areas across 33 states had been identified as high-risk zones, including five in Delta: Ndokwa East, Ughelli North, Aniocha North, Udu, and Sapele.

According to him, the MAMII Project, backed by President Bola Tinubu, is being implemented in collaboration with USAID, WHO, UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, and several European partners.

The event also featured the presentation of the MAMII plaque to Delta State and the inauguration of a task force to drive the project’s action plan.