National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in partnership with Roche Pharmaceuticals and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), has launched a subsidised cancer care programme to ease the financial burden on patients.
NHIA state coordinator for Bauchi, Mr. Mustapha Mohammed, at the event, described the partnership as a critical intervention targeting the rising cost of oncology care.
Mohammed explained that under the new scheme, NHIA will cover 30 per cent of drug costs, Roche Pharmaceuticals will shoulder 50 per cent, while the remaining 20 per cent will be paid by patients enrolled in the NHIA programme.
“For cancer patients not yet enrolled under NHIA, Roche will still bear 50 per cent of the cost, while the patient will cover the other half,” Mohammed added, encouraging more Nigerians to register under the health insurance scheme for greater support.
He also clarified that newly enrolled patients will be able to access the benefits of the scheme after a mandatory two-month waiting period.
The programme is being piloted at ATBUTH, one of the country’s leading teaching hospitals in the North-East, known for its rapidly expanding oncology services and institutional capacity.
Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (C-MAC) at ATBUTH, Dr. Haruna Usman, hailed the initiative as a milestone in the fight against cancer in Nigeria. “This collaboration couldn’t have come at a better time. The incidence of cancer is growing, and many patients struggle with access to treatment due to cost. This initiative will go a long way in bridging that gap,“ he added.
Usman noted that ATBUTH has undergone significant transformation in recent years, particularly in research, clinical services, and digital health infrastructure. He said the hospital’s improved data management systems and e-health platforms make it an ideal location to pilot the subsidised programme.
He expressed appreciation to the Federal Ministry of Health, NHIA, and Roche Pharmaceuticals for their joint commitment to reducing cancer-related mortality and improving treatment outcomes in Nigeria.
The cost-sharing arrangement is expected to significantly reduce the out-of-pocket expenditure associated with cancer treatment, which has historically left many patients financially devastated or untreated. By integrating the programme into NHIA’s broader service offerings, stakeholders hope to encourage nationwide enrolment and replicate the model in other tertiary hospitals across the country.
