The Delta State Government has dismissed several health workers and demoted others for extorting pregnant women and children under five, despite the state’s free healthcare policy for these groups.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed this on Friday during the flag-off of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives Project Action Plan at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
Onojaeme said the ministry had intensified hospital monitoring to ensure funds allocated 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 government for payment,” he stated.
The commissioner stressed that the state fully covers medical expenses for all pregnant women until delivery, as well as 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 illegal payments, noting that the phone number of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Health Monitoring would soon be made public for such complaints.
