Ondo residency smartcard exposes 70% non- resident users of free healthcare

MORE than 70 per cent of beneficiaries of Ondo State’s free healthcare are non-residents, it emerged at the weekend.

The indication followed the successful take-off of the utilization phase of the state government’s Residency Card scheme, also known as Kaadi Igbeayo.  Enforcement of the card usage commenced with the health sector last week.

Information Commissioner Kayode Akinmade had mentioned before the utilization kick-off that government would focus on initial four sctors for the card usage. He also stressed that government would not compromise its order that non-carrier of the card would not be allowed access to government social services. He mentioned the sectors as health, education, agriculture and micro- finance.

Indications had emerged that the health sector was beginning to experience the effect of the full implementation of the card as efforts were being made to ensure that non-residents who flock in from neighboring states and the north to enjoy its free healthcare begin to pay a token.

In apparent demonstration of its resolve to enforce the usage of the smart card, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Dayo Adeyanju, in company with the Chairman, Civic Data Centre, Mr. Tunde Yadeka, at the weekend toured medical facilities.