The Delta State Government has dismissed and demoted some health workers found guilty of extorting pregnant women and children under five, despite the state’s free healthcare policy for both groups.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, revealed this on Saturday at Ashaka in Ndokwa East Local Government Area during the launch of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives Project Action Plan.
He explained that while most health workers in the state were performing well, a few were sabotaging government’s efforts by collecting illegal fees for drugs and still forwarding the bills for government payment.
“Some have already been demoted, while many others have lost their jobs within a short period,” Onojaeme said. He added that hospitals are now being closely monitored to stop the misuse of funds for mothers and children.
The commissioner reaffirmed that the state fully funds medical services for pregnant women until delivery, as well as treatment for children under five. He urged residents to expose erring officials, saying the phone number of the governor’s aide on health monitoring would be made public for complaints.