Asaba, Delta – The Delta State Government has taken decisive action against corruption within its healthcare system, dismissing and demoting several health workers found guilty of extorting pregnant women and children under five.

The move, announced on Saturday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, during the launch of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) Project in Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, underscores the administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward undermining its free healthcare program.

The sacked workers were accused of illegally demanding payments from vulnerable patients despite the state’s long-standing free healthcare policy, which covers medical expenses for pregnant women until delivery and children under five.

Dr. Onojaeme revealed that the dismissed staff had been exploiting the policy by collecting fees for drugs and services, subsequently submitting bills for government reimbursement—a practice he described as sabotaging efforts to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates.

"Maternal mortality in Delta has dropped from over 200 to less than 120 per 100,000 live births, and we aim to further improve these figures with the MAMII project," Dr. Onojaeme stated, highlighting the state’s progress and optimism.

He warned that such extortion would not be tolerated, urging residents to report erring officials via a soon-to-be-publicized phone number for the governor’s aide on health monitoring.

The commissioner emphasized that the state fully funds medical services for the targeted groups, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to accessible healthcare.

This action aligns with recent efforts across Nigeria to address corruption in public institutions, including the Police Act 2020’s accountability measures.

As today, the government has not released the exact number of affected workers, but the move is seen as a bold step toward restoring public trust in Delta’s healthcare system.