The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has urged Nigerians to take advantage of its cancer care programme to ease the financial burden associated with treatment.
An NHIA official, Dr Bob Manuel Somiari, made the call during an interview with our correspondents in Port Harcourt. He explained that the Authority has expanded its benefit package to include cancer care services ranging from diagnostic tests to chemotherapy.
According to Dr Somiari, the NHIA is working in partnership with Roche Pharmaceutical Company to ensure that cancer patients receive treatment at significantly reduced costs. He said enrollees under the NHIA scheme are required to pay only 20 per cent of the cost of cancer drugs, while Roche covers 50 per cent and the NHIA pays the remaining 30 per cent.
He clarified that patients who are not enrolled in any NHIA health insurance plan are still eligible for the intervention but would pay 50 per cent of the treatment cost. Dr Somiari noted that the arrangement aligns with the Authority’s goal of achieving universal health coverage and ensuring access to healthcare for all Nigerians, regardless of insurance status.
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He stressed that having health insurance remains more beneficial, as it further reduces out-of-pocket expenses and improves access to quality care.
Dr Somiari also provided insights into the range of cancer drugs available under the NHIA–Roche partnership, assuring listeners that the initiative is designed to support patients through various stages of treatment.
Also speaking, a pharmacist, Ms Dumnaka Nwiganale, disclosed that more than 25 health facilities across the country, including the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, have been designated to provide cancer treatment under the NHIA–Roche collaboration.
She added that over 200 cancer patients have already benefited from the programme and encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of the initiative.
