Delta State Government Takes Action Against Health Workers Demanding Payment for Free Services

Strategic Insights -

The Delta State government has dismissed several workers and demoted others for extorting money from pregnant women and children under five years, despite the state's free healthcare policy for these groups. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, announced this during the flag-off of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) Project Action Plan in Ashaka, Ndokwa East local government area. Dr. Onojaeme revealed that some health workers had been sanctioned for collecting money from pregnant women and children under five years for drugs, while still forwarding the bills to the government for payment. The commissioner assured residents that monitoring would continue to ensure that funds released for maternal and child healthcare were properly utilized.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Delta State government has dismissed several health workers and demoted others for extorting money from pregnant women and children under five years, despite the state's free healthcare policy.
  • Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, announced that the sanctioned health workers had been collecting money from pregnant women and children under five years for drugs, while still forwarding the bills to the government for payment.
  • Pregnant women in Delta State are entitled to free healthcare until delivery, while children under five also receive free medical treatment.
  • Dr. Onojaeme encouraged residents to report any health worker demanding payment, adding that the phone number of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Health Monitoring would be made public for such reports.
  • The Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) Project Action Plan aims to reduce maternal and child deaths in the state.
  • Delta State has recorded a significant reduction in maternal mortality, with figures dropping from over 200 to less than 120 per 100,000 live births.
  • 172 local government areas across 33 states have been identified as high-risk zones, including five in Delta-Ndokwa East, Ughelli North, Aniocha North, Udu, and Sapele.
  • The MAMII Project is being implemented in collaboration with USAID, WHO, UNICEF, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank, and several European partners.

Statistics:

  • Maternal mortality in Delta State has dropped from over 200 to less than 120 per 100,000 live births.
  • 172 local government areas across 33 states have been identified as high-risk zones.
  • Five local government areas in Delta State have been identified as high-risk zones, including Ndokwa East, Ughelli North, Aniocha North, Udu, and Sapele.

Sources:

  • Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, during the flag-off of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) Project Action Plan in Ashaka, Ndokwa East local government area.
  • Representative of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. John Ovuoraye, during the event.