Delta State Government Cracks Down on Health Workers Allegedly Embezzling Funds Intended for Maternal and Child Healthcare

The Delta State Government has taken drastic measures against health workers who allegedly extorted pregnant women and children under five years, despite the state's free healthcare policy. Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme, disclosed that the ministry had intensified monitoring of hospitals to ensure that funds released for maternal and child healthcare were properly utilized. The state had reportedly demoted and sacked several health workers for the alleged offence, with plans to make the phone number of the executive assistant to the governor on health monitoring public for residents to report any health worker demanding payment for maternal or child care.

Key Takeaways:

• The Delta State Government has sacked health workers who allegedly extorted pregnant women and children under five years, despite the state's free healthcare policy.
• The state has demoted several health workers for the alleged offence and plans to make public the phone number of the executive assistant to the governor on health monitoring for residents to report any health worker demanding payment for maternal or child care.
• The commissioner for health, Joseph Onojaeme, emphasized that the state covers the medical expenses of all pregnant women until delivery and provides free treatment for children under five.
• The state had identified healthcare workers who were collecting money from pregnant women and children under five for drugs, while still forwarding the bills to the government for payment.
• The Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives Project, supported 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 state's maternal mortality rate had dropped from over 200 to less than 120 per 100,000 live births.

Statistics:

• 172 local government areas across 33 states have been identified as high-risk zones regarding maternal and neonatal mortality.
• The state covers the medical expenses of all pregnant women until delivery.
• The state provides free treatment for children under five.
• The maternal mortality rate in Delta State had dropped from over 200 to less than 120 per 100,000 live births.

Sources:

• Government of Delta State
• Commissioner for Health, Joseph Onojaeme
• Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, John Ovuoraye
• Project plaque presentation and inauguration ceremony notes