Bribe Scandal:Delta Sacks Health Workers Over Extorting Pregnant Women, Kids

Bribe Scandal: Delta Sacks Health Workers Over Extorting Pregnant Women, Kids

 

 

 

Delta State government has dismissed some health workers and demoted others for extorting money from pregnant women and children under five, in breach of the state’s free healthcare policy.

 

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

 

While commending the majority of health workers for their dedication, Dr. Onojaeme said a few “Judas” had undermined the system by collecting illegal payments while still forwarding bills to the government.

 

“All pregnant women in Delta State are entitled to free healthcare until delivery, and children under five also receive free medical treatment,” he said. “We will continue monitoring to ensure that funds allocated for maternal and child healthcare are properly utilised.”

 

He encouraged residents to report any health worker demanding payment, noting that the phone number of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Health Monitoring would be made public for such complaints.

 

Dr. Onojaeme also highlighted the state’s progress in reducing maternal mortality, revealing a drop from over 200 to fewer than 120 deaths per 100,000 live births.

 

Representing the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. John Ovuoraye, assured that the federal government would support states in tackling maternal and neonatal mortality. He noted 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.

 

Dr. Ovuoraye explained that the MAMII Project, backed by President Bola Tinubu, is being implemented in partnership with USAID, WHO, UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, and several European agencies, with the aim of further reducing maternal and child deaths across the country.