Roche, an International pharmaceutical company in collaboration with the National Healthcare Insurance Authority (NHIA) have unveiled subsidised cancer medication drugs at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Mr Babarinde Olayode, Policy Lead at Roche International, made the announcement at the official launch of a cut in price of cancer drugs by 80 per cent at the UMTH on Tuesday.
Olayode said that the initiative, which was designed and implemented in partnership between the company and NHIA, was meant to provide access to life-saving cancer care for patients under NHIA’s enrollment at a reduced cost of 80 per cent.
Olayode said that the initiative was currently being implemented in 24 centres including UMTH nationwide, making it easier for cancer patients under health insurance to access quality medication at affordable 20 per cent cost.
“The opportunity for the cancer patients is today they are able to access medication at just 20 per cent the cost.
“Roche will do 50 per cent, NHIA will do 30 per cent, a patient is going to pay only 20 per cent. This is a subsidy and a financial protection for the patient,” he said.
Olayode said that the initiative targeted breast, cervical, prostate and other cancers which account for a significant number of cancer related deaths in the country.
He said that the offer was for everybody who was diagnosed with cancer and ready to access the 80 per cent subsidy if the person is an NHIA’s enrollee.
According to him, in the event where the patient has not been enrolled in the NHIA scheme, he could get a 50 per cent subsidy from Roche and make up the balance of 50 per cent.
Speaking on behalf of NHIA, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdulwahab, an Assistant Director, encouraged cancer patients not insured to join the basic healthcare funds in the state and key in to benefit from the 80 per cent subsidy.
In his remarks, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, the Chief Medical Director of UMTH, lauded the efforts of Roche and the NHIA in providing cancer patients with affordable offers to access quality medication without tears.
Ahidjo, however, urged the NHIA to extend its generosity to other specislised areas, adding that UMTH alone has about eight specialised centres which also needed the same attention given to cancer.
Cancer remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with thousands of new cases recorded annually.
