The National Health Insurance Authority, in partnership with Roche Products Limited, has launched a cost-sharing initiative aimed at significantly reducing the financial burden of cancer treatment for patients.
The programme, announced on Wednesday at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, will cut treatment costs by up to 80% for insured patients.
Speaking at the onboarding meeting with oncologists, senior hospital staff, and Roche representatives, NHIA State Coordinator Mr. Chimezie Ezennabike explained that the initiative provides an innovative financing strategy for oncology drug access.
“The programme aims to enhance access to high-cost oncology treatments, reduce the financial burden on patients, and ensure the availability of medicines,” Ezennabike said.
“Under the scheme, Roche will cover 50% of oncology drug costs, NHIA will pay 30%, while patients will bear the remaining 20%. This encourages earlier treatment without patients avoiding care due to cost. The package is for those enrolled in the NHIA health insurance scheme.”
Roche’s Head of Operations, Sar Terseer, added that the program also supports non-NHIA enrollees, who will pay only 50% of drug costs while Roche covers the other half.
“Patients can access the program through 24 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) nationwide, ensuring improved care, balanced drug access, and protection from financial catastrophe,” he said.
Terseer urged hospital management to guide oncologists through the program to reduce the need for patients to travel abroad for treatment. Currently, only the Federal Teaching Hospital, Owerri, and the American Cancer Centre are onboarded.
“With this initiative, over 90% of patients diagnosed can receive treatment, benefiting more than 80% of cancer patients due to the seamless process,” he said.
Dr. Kingsley Achigbu, Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital, commended the NHIA-Roche partnership, saying the cost-sharing initiative will lessen the financial burden on patients and promote sustainable healthcare delivery.
Mike Adah, Head of Operations at the American-Cancer Centre, Owerri, told PUNCH that the program will help curb medical tourism for cancer treatment, allowing more patients to access care locally without incurring prohibitive out-of-pocket costs.