Connect with us

News

NHIA partners Roche to slash cancer treatment costs by 80%

Published

on

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.

See also  Why China Opposes US’ Threat Of Military Intervention In Nigeria — Experts

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.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty

Published

on

The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.

According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.

The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

See also  Nuhu Ribadu meets security chiefs
Continue Reading

News

PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident

Published

on

Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.

The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.

According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.

In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.

Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.

Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.

In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.

The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.

Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.

See also  Nuhu Ribadu meets security chiefs

He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

News

PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest

Published

on

Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.

While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.

14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.

The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.

Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

See also  Seven killed, 13 injured in Kano–Katsina road crash
Continue Reading

Trending