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NHIA partners Roche to slash cancer treatment costs by 80%

Published

12 months ago

August 27, 2025

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.

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News

Defence Headquarters Social Media Account Hacked

Published

1 day ago

August 16, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The official social media page of the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), 𝕏 to be precise, has been attacked by suspected hackers.

Naija News reports that the DHQ confirmed the development in a statement made public on Saturday, August 15, by the Director of Defence Information, Maj. General Samaila Uba.

He said the body has hence treated the incident as a cybersecurity matter, with technical measures activated to secure the account.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to inform members of the public, the media and all stakeholders that it has detected an attempted unauthorised compromise of its official X (formerly Twitter) account.

“The incident is currently being treated as a cybersecurity matter, and appropriate technical measures have been activated to secure the account and prevent further unauthorised access,” the statement noted.

The DHQ urged members of the public to disregard any publication from the account at the moment while ensuring that efforts were ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“The Defence Headquarters assures the public that efforts are ongoing to fully restore control of the official account.

“Consequently, members of the public are advised to disregard any suspicious, unauthorised or misleading content that may be posted from the account during this period,” he said.

Uba stressed the DHQ’s committment to maintaining high standards of information security and ensuring that Nigerians continued to receive accurate, timely and credible information on the activities and operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

“We appreciate the understanding and vigilance of the public and will provide further updates as necessary,” he said.

He further urged Nigerians to henceforth check its verified accounts on other platforms, including Facebook under the name “Defence Headquarters Nigeria,” Instagram at @defenceheadquarters and its WhatsApp Channel, Defence Headquarters Nigeria for reliable information.

Source: naijanews.com

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Seven workers killed, 19 rescued in India tunnel accident

Published

3 days ago

August 14, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

At least seven workers were killed and 13 injured following a landslide that sent water and debris gushing into a tunnel under construction in north India, officials said Friday.

The incident occurred late Thursday in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, where workers were constructing a tunnel for a state-run hydropower project.

At least three workers are still missing, while 19 were rescued from the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation site, the State Disaster Management Authority said in a statement.

Videos shared by local authorities showed rescue workers equipped with head-mounted torches using makeshift rafts to reach the flooded section of the tunnel.

Uttarakhand has been battered by heavy monsoon rains in recent days.

Accidents on large construction sites are common in India, but ecologists say excessive development projects have led to more disasters in the fragile Himalayan areas.

Last month, 20 people working in a tunnel for another state-run hydroelectric project were killed in the remote northeastern state of Sikkim.

In 2023, 41 workers were rescued after being trapped for 17 days inside a tunnel that collapsed in Uttarakhand.

Hundreds of people have been killed in floods and landslides across the country since the start of the annual monsoon season in June.

Experts say climate change, coupled with poorly planned development, is increasing the frequency, severity, and impact of the disasters.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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RATTAWU honours DSS DG for strategic intelligence, national security

Published

3 days ago

August 14, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union has honoured the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, with the ‘Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award’, as part of activities marking its 50th anniversary

RATTAWU conferred the award on Ajayi on Thursday at his office, when the National President of the group, Emeka Kalu, led members to a media/security-critical engagement and strategic partnership meeting for national development in Abuja.

Kalu praised the appointment of Ajayi in 2024 by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as putting “a round peg in a round hole.”

He added that the award was an initiative of the union designed to recognise individuals and institutions that had made outstanding contributions to national development, security, democracy, culture and the growth of Nigeria.

He said, “Your appointment by Mr President demonstrates the importance of placing capable Nigerians with integrity and professional competence in strategic positions of national responsibility.

“The role of the DSS in protecting Nigeria’s national interests, gathering critical intelligence and supporting national security cannot be overemphasised.

“Particularly now that this country is confronted with complex security and emerging technological challenges, appointments like yours are the best ever done by Mr President.

“That is why this union decided to honour you with the Golden Era Pillar of Critical and Strategic Intelligence for National Development Award.”

Responding, the DSS Director-General, Oluwatosin Ajayi, expressed appreciation to the leadership of RATTAWU for the honour.

Ajayi described the recognition as a significant gesture that would further encourage him and the service to remain committed to their responsibilities to the nation.

Source: punchng.com

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