The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and Roche Pharmaceuticals have partnered to enhance access to affordable cancer treatment in Nigeria through a new cost-sharing initiative for oncology care.
A sensitisation programme was held for the management of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) to introduce the initiative, which has now been rolled out to 24 healthcare facilities nationwide.
The partnership aims to reduce the financial burden on cancer patients, improve treatment outcomes, and support Nigeria’s goal of achieving universal health coverage.
Dr Dara Olatoke, from Roche Nigeria’s Access Team, explained that the initiative focuses on making cancer care more accessible, particularly for NHIA enrollees.
Under the cost-sharing model, Roche covers 50 percent of the cost of select chemotherapy medications, the NHIA contributes 30 percent, and patients pay the remaining 20 percent.
“Nigerians deserve the best in terms of a standard care and treatment, and that’s why we partnered with NHIA.
“In other climes, we see that patients are re-imbursed especially for Oncology care. But now the story is changing here, patients do not have to walk through this journey alone. The insurance is there and the partners like Roche, ready to support the patients,” she said.
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Olatoke urged Nigerians to enrol in the health insurance scheme to benefit from the support available at participating healthcare facilities.
Dr Saka Agboola, Head of Standard and Quality Assurance at NHIA-Kwara, highlighted that the collaboration aims to alleviate the financial strain on vulnerable Nigerians who struggle to access healthcare.
“Currently health insurance is mandatory for all Nigerians. This initiative is for those people who feel left behind, as patients with various forms of cancer can access medication. Most of them tend to lose hope in life and NHIA felt that in all fairness and equity, there is need for them to be incorporated,” he said, reaffirming the cost-sharing structure.
Dr Suleiman Olaide, Head of Surgery at UITH, praised the initiative but noted that the 20 percent patient contribution remains a significant burden for many.
“We are pleading with the NHIA to reduce to 10 percent or five percent. This will go a long way to ensure many patients are able to benefit from the initiative,” he said.
Olaide also expressed concern over the rising incidence of cancer, with UITH recording approximately two new cases weekly.
Participating facilities include UITH, Federal Medical Centre Abuja, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, among others.