A cost-sharing program has been introduced by the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Abuja, Roche Pharmaceuticals, and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to assist cancer patients in lowering the financial barriers to receiving oncology care.
Additionally, the partnership aims to improve treatment outcomes, increase access to cancer care, and protect Nigerians from the high costs of cancer treatment.
Speaking at a presentation on the initiative on Friday in Abuja, Ms. Linda Makwe of the NHIA Department of Standards and Quality Assurance stated that the program’s goal was to increase vulnerable Nigerians’ access to expensive oncology drugs.
Enhancing access to vital, life-saving cancer treatments while maintaining financial sustainability was one of the main goals, she said, adding that the partnership highlights NHIA’s role in strategic healthcare purchasing.
“The program guarantees that patients can obtain essential cancer medications at a reduced cost, with the patient, Roche, and NHIA sharing the financial burden,” she stated.
She clarified that under the partnership, NHIA oversees patient access and arranges funding sources, while Roche pays 50% of the cost of monoclonal medications and offers logistical help to guarantee drug supply.
She added that the program supports Nigeria’s objective of attaining Universal Health Coverage and attempts to lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs.
Speaking as well, Mr. Funsho David, Roche’s Team Lead for Oncology, stated that the partnership was dedicated to providing Nigerians with cutting-edge and reasonably priced cancer treatment.
According to him, patients can now afford both prescribed medications and other related treatment services because the cost-sharing model divides financial responsibilities between Roche, NHIA, and the patient.
“This approach protects patients from catastrophic health expenditures and ensures access to essential oncology medicines,” he said.
In order to provide a comprehensive range of cancer care from diagnosis to surgery, chemotherapy, and rehabilitation, David praised FMC Abuja for its assistance and urged the hospital to increase the number of NHIA service accreditations from six to over 20.
Prof. Saad Ahmed, the Chief Medical Director of FMC Abuja, praised the collaboration in his remarks, stating that it will greatly reduce the financial strain that many cancer patients endure.
The cost-sharing program is timely and effective because cancer treatment is frequently out of reach for the majority of Nigerians, according to Saad, who was represented by Dr. Muftau Bioku, Director of Clinical Services.
An agreement to enhance universal health coverage in Nigeria was struck in November 2021 between Roche Products Ltd. and the National Health Insurance Authority.
The partnership’s primary goal is to deliver cutting-edge, easily accessible cancer care. Patients are financially protected by the partnership, which is a cost-sharing program that divides the financial responsibility between Roche and the patient.
This ensures that the patient pays a minimum amount for their treatment. Patients are therefore able to pay for their prescription as well as other elements of their care.
Following a two-year pilot, Roche and the NHIA Management inked a review and expansion agreement in 2025 to increase access and offer greater benefits to Nigerians.
Complete treatment coverage, uninsured patient access, patient counseling and navigation, and immunohistochemistry testing for qualified patients are further features of the expansion.
By giving Nigerians access to reasonably priced cancer care, enhancing treatment results, and shielding them from the financial ruin of cancer treatment, the alliance aims to assist the NHIA and Nigeria in their pursuit of UHC.
