A new cost-sharing program by NHIA, Roche, and FMC Abuja will make cancer treatment more affordable for Nigerians. The initiative aims to reduce financial barriers to care.
Partnership Makes Cancer Treatment More Affordable for Nigerians
A New Way to Pay for Cancer Care
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), working with Roche Pharmaceuticals and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abuja, has launched a new plan to help cancer patients with the high cost of treatment. This plan is called a cost-sharing initiative, and it is designed to make sure more people can get the important medical care they need without facing big financial problems.
How the Programme Works
The idea for this program came from a partnership that first started in 2021. It was reviewed in 2025 to give more people access to the benefits. The NHIA's Ms Linda Makwe explained that the programme was designed to improve access to expensive cancer medications, especially for people who do not have a lot of money.
She said the partnership helps the NHIA to make smart decisions about buying healthcare services. One of the main goals is to improve access to life-saving cancer treatments while also making sure the program can continue to run for a long time.
The program ensures that patients can get important cancer drugs at a cheaper price. The cost is shared between the drug company (Roche), the NHIA, and the patient. Ms Makwe said that under the agreement, Roche pays for 50 percent of the cost of special medicines and also helps make sure the drugs are available.
She also added that the program is meant to reduce how much money patients have to pay from their own pocket. This plan is in line with Nigeria's goal to make sure everyone can get health coverage.
Support from Partners
Mr. Funsho David, who is the Team Lead for Oncology at Roche, said that the company is committed to giving Nigerians new and affordable cancer care. He said the cost-sharing plan helps pay for both the prescribed medicines and other services needed for treatment.
He also thanked the FMC Abuja for their support and encouraged the hospital to increase its number of accredited services from six to over 20. This would allow them to offer full cancer care, from diagnosis to surgery and chemotherapy.
The Medical Director of FMC Abuja, Prof. Saad Ahmed, welcomed the partnership. He said it would greatly help with the money problems faced by many cancer patients. He explained that cancer treatment is often too expensive for most Nigerians, which makes this cost-sharing plan very timely and important.
Expanded Benefits
The new report says that the updated agreement now includes:
* Full treatment coverage
* Access for people who do not have health insurance
* Help with navigation and counseling services
* A special test called Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for those who need it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the new cost-sharing initiative about?
It is a program to help cancer patients by making expensive cancer drugs more affordable.
Who is involved in the partnership?
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Roche Pharmaceuticals, and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Abuja are all part of the partnership.
How does the cost-sharing plan work?
The cost of cancer medicine is shared between the drug company (Roche), the NHIA, and the patient.
What is the main goal of the program?
The main goal is to reduce financial problems for cancer patients and improve their access to life-saving medicines.
Will people who do not have health insurance be able to get help?
Yes, the new agreement includes access for patients who do not have health insurance.
What other benefits does the new agreement have?
It also includes full treatment coverage, counseling services, and special testing for eligible patients.
What is the role of the FMC Abuja in this partnership?
The hospital supports the program and provides the medical services. The Medical Director said it will help many patients with the financial burden of treatment.
Source: NAN