The Delta State Government has dismissed several health workers and demoted others for allegedly demanding illegal payments from pregnant women and children under five, despite the state’s free healthcare policy for these groups.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, made the announcement on Saturday during the launch of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) Project Action Plan at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
According to Onojaeme, monitoring of hospitals has been intensified to ensure that funds released for maternal and child healthcare are properly utilized.
“Health workers in Delta have performed well, but as they say, in every twelve, there is a Judas. We received credible reports of some extorting money from pregnant women and children under five for drugs while still forwarding the bills to government for settlement,” he said.
He stressed that maternal healthcare services, including delivery, and treatment for children under five remain free in the state.
“We have demoted some of these fraudulent workers and sacked many within this short period. With continued monitoring and support from mothers, we believe these sharp practices will drastically reduce,” the commissioner added.
Onojaeme also encouraged residents to report any health worker who demands payment for maternal or child healthcare, noting that the contact details of the Governor’s Executive Assistant on Health Monitoring would soon be made public for complaints.
The commissioner disclosed that the state’s maternal mortality rate had already dropped significantly, from more than 200 deaths to fewer than 120 per 100,000 live births. He expressed confidence that the MAMII initiative would help to further cut down the figures.
Dr. John Ovuoraye, who represented the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting states in reducing maternal and neonatal deaths.
“Across the country, 172 local government areas in 33 states have been identified as high-risk zones, including five in Delta—Ndokwa East, Ughelli North, Aniocha North, Udu, and Sapele,” Ovuoraye said.
He explained that the MAMII project, supported by President Bola Tinubu, was being carried out in collaboration with USAID, WHO, UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, and several European partners.
