Delta State Government has dismissed and demoted several health workers found guilty of extorting money from pregnant women and children under five, despite the existence of a state-funded free healthcare policy for these vulnerable groups.
The revelation was made by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, on Saturday during the launch of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) Action Plan at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area.Buy vitamins and supplements
“Health workers in the state have done well, but in every twelve, there is a Judas.
“We’ve received credible reports of some extorting money for drugs from pregnant women and children under five, and still submitting the bills to the government for reimbursement,” Onojaeme said
He confirmed that several of the offenders have been sacked, while others were demoted as part of the state’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption in public healthcare.
Onojaeme added that the ministry had intensified hospital monitoring to ensure proper utilisation of allocated healthcare funds.
He urged residents to report any instances of extortion, noting that the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Health Monitoring would soon make a dedicated public complaint line available.
“We fully cover the medical costs for all pregnant women up to delivery, and for children under five.
“With tighter monitoring and community cooperation, we will curb these corrupt practices,” he said.
The commissioner also announced a significant improvement in health outcomes, revealing that the maternal mortality rate in Delta has dropped from over 200 to below 120 deaths per 100,000 live births.
He expressed optimism that the MAMII Project, launched in partnership with national and international health agencies, would help bring the numbers down even further.
Dr. John Ovuoraye, representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to reducing maternal and neonatal mortality across Nigeria.
He revealed that 172 high-risk local government areas across 33 states have been identified, including Ndokwa East, Ughelli North, Aniocha North, Udu and Sapele in Delta State.
The MAMII Project, supported by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, is being implemented with assistance from USAID, WHO, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, and several European partners.
A MAMII task force was also inaugurated at the event to ensure effective implementation of the action plan. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of the MAMII plaque to Delta State.
Earlier this month, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) urged both federal and state governments to extend free medical services to all indigent pregnant women nationwide.
He emphasized that doing so is the most effective strategy to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
(Daily Gazette)
