Cancer treatment: NHIA, Roche cut cost of cancer drugs by 80%
Port Harcourt – Roche, a pharmaceutical company, in partnership with the National Healthcare Insurance Authority (NHIA) has commenced the provision of subsidised cancer medication at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).
Mr Terseer Sar, Head of Access and Policy, Roche Products Nigeria, disclosed this on Friday during the official launch of the initiative at UPTH, Port Harcourt.
Sar stated that the programme, implemented in partnership with NHIA, aimed at providing access to life-saving cancer care for Nigerians at a reduced cost of 80 per cent.
He explained that the programme targeted breast, cervical, prostate, and other cancers, which account for a significant proportion of cancer-related deaths in the country.
“Today, we are here at UPTH to onboard the Roche-NHIA cost sharing programme for oncology medicines for treatment of cancer patients at UPTH.
“Everybody knows that when an individual is diagnosed with cancer, they often must sell their property, borrow money, or forego treatment entirely, leading to the perception that cancer is a death sentence.
“So, we are bringing affordable, quality care closer to patients, enabling them to receive treatment without being driven into poverty, and to survive to continue contributing to society,” he said.
Sar noted that the initiative was part of the wider government efforts to strengthen oncology services, reduce the financial burden of treatment, and improve patient outcomes.
He explained that the programme was being implemented under two categories – patients who have health insurance with NHIA and those without health insurance.
“For insured cancer patients, Roche will cover 50 per cent of the cost of medication, NHIA will pay 30 per cent, and the patient will pay the remaining 20 per cent.
“For uninsured patients, Roche will cover 50 per cent of the cost of medication, while patients will pay the other 50 per cent,” he added.
Sar said that the programme was already operational at the National Hospital Abuja; Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH); and the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC).
He announced that in September, the initiative would commence at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), and 17 other centres across the country.
He stated that Roche ‘’believes that quality and affordable healthcare is a shared responsibility; we are committed to ensuring that advanced cancer care is not a privilege but a right for every Nigerian.”
Mr Itodo Chris, NHIA State Coordinator in Rivers, assured that funding for vulnerable groups under the programme would remain uninterrupted, in line with provisions of the 2022 NHIA Act.
He explained that NHIA, formerly known as the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), was restructured under the 2022 Act to strengthen health coverage and equity.
“The Act established a Vulnerable Group Fund, which guarantees continued financial support for intervention programmes, targeting disadvantaged populations.
“The concern that NHIA may not meet its counterpart funding obligations should not arise; by virtue of the Act, our contribution to the Roche-NHIA cost-sharing programme for oncology medicines is secured,” he said.
Chris disclosed that NHIA enrolment in Rivers had reached over 215,000, comprising 110,000 under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, 105,000 under the core NHIA registration, and more than 10,000 in private health insurance schemes.
He added that the agency had intensified public awareness efforts through radio jingles and regular media engagements to encourage Nigerians to register and insure their health under the NHIA.
On his part, Prof. Braimoh Bashiru, Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee at UPTH, described the initiative as a breakthrough in the hospital’s efforts to improve access to cancer care.
He observed that many cancer patients at the hospital struggled to afford quality treatment and expressed delight over the significant reduction in the treatment cost.
“We are excited about this partnership; it is something we have long anticipated due to the challenges we face in managing cancer cases.
“Once registered with NHIA, a patient can walk into the hospital and access care under this programme, even if you are not registered initially, you can enrol and still benefit.
“Anyone can be an individual enrolee by paying an annual premium of N38,000 to an accredited Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), which provides access not only to cancer care but to other essential health services,” Bashiru said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cancer remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with thousands of new cases recorded annually. (NAN)
