The Delta State Government announced the dismissal of several fraudulent health workers caught extorting money from pregnant women and children under five, while others faced demotion. This was revealed on Saturday by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, during the inauguration of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiatives Project Action Plan at Ashaka, Ndokwa East Local Government Area. According to Onojaeme, the Ministry of Health has fulfilled its mandate by ensuring proper monitoring of government-released funds and their utilization. He said, “The health workers in the state have actually done well, but you know that in every 12, there is Judas. There are several cases of fraud and malpractice among the health workers. We have received reports that some pregnant women and children under five visit our hospitals across the state, and some health workers will collect money from them for drugs. “And at the same time, they will send the medical bills to the government to pay. The state government is paying for all pregnant women and children under five to enjoy free health care. We have demoted some of these fraudulent health workers and sacked many within this short period. I believe that with the continuous monitoring and with the support of the mothers themselves, some of these fraudulent practices will be reduced. “Report any health worker immediately who collects money for the treatment of any child under five in any of our public hospitals. We run free treatment for pregnant women till delivery. The government is paying, and hospitals are not to collect money from them. We will make the phone number of the Executive Assistant to the Governor on health monitoring available, and when you see cases of demanding money from pregnant women, you should call the phone number immediately.” The representative of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr John Ovuoraye, expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to supporting state governments to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality rates in their states. Ovuoraye hinted that 172 local government areas across 33 states had been identified as high-risk areas with prevalence of maternal and neonatal deaths, including five local government areas in Delta, which are Ndokwa East, Ughelli North, Aniocha North, Udu and Sapele.