Koko Maxwella 
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori
DELTA, Nigeria – Delta State has dismissed several health workers accused of extorting pregnant women and children under five, despite the state’s free healthcare policy while others implicated have been demoted for misconduct.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, announced the disciplinary measures during the launch of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives Project in Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area on Saturday.
“Health workers in the state have done well, but in every 12, there is a Judas,” Onojaeme said. “We received reports of some charging pregnant women and children for drugs, while still billing the government for reimbursement.”
He stressed that maternal care, from conception to delivery, and treatment for children under five remain free in Delta. “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 encouraged residents to report any illegal charges, promising that hotlines would be made public for complaints.
He revealed that maternal mortality in Delta has dropped from over 200 to below 120 deaths per 100,000 live births, crediting the new initiative with potential to further reduce fatalities.
At the event, John Ovuoraye, representative of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, reaffirmed federal support, noting that 172 high-risk local government areas across 33 states, including five in Delta, had been prioritised under the project.
The initiative is backed by President Bola Tinubu and international partners, including WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and the Gates Foundation.
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Mirian Gom 
Hussaini Ibrahim 
