By Ayodele Oni
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mohammed Ali Pate, has pledged Federal Government support to states in tackling maternal and neonatal mortality.
He disclosed that 172 local government areas across 33 states had been identified as high-risk zones, including five in Delta—Ndokwa East, Ughelli North, Aniocha North, Udu, and Sapele
The minister disclosed this on Saturday at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area, of Delta state, during the flag-off of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives (MAMII) Project Action Plan.
Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme stated that the state has recorded a significant reduction in maternal mortality, with figures dropping from over 200 to less than 120 per 100,000 live births.
He expressed optimism that the programme would further reduce maternal and child deaths in the state.
While commending most health workers for their dedication, Onojaeme revealed that some had been sanctioned for extorting money from pregnant women and children under five, despite the state’s free healthcare policy for these groups.
“Health workers in the state have done well, but in every twelve, there is a Judas. We have received reports of some collecting money from pregnant women and children under five for drugs, while still forwarding the bills to the government for payment.”
According to him, several workers have already been dismissed while others were demoted for similar offences.
He assured that monitoring would continue to ensure that funds released for maternal and child healthcare were properly utilised.
Onojaeme emphasized that all pregnant women in Delta State are entitled to free healthcare until delivery, while children under five also receive free medical treatment.
He 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.
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