The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Osun State says the best way to fight cancer is by getting help with treatment. They are asking Nigerians to use the health insurance options the agency provides.
This message was shared by the Osun State NHIA Coordinator, Olalekan Falode, during a public awareness event. The event was held before the launch of a new cost-sharing plan between NHIA and Roche Nigeria.
The plan will help cancer patients by covering 80% of the cost of cancer drugs. The event took place at Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital in Ile-Ife, on Friday.
Under this new plan, Roche will pay 50% of the drug costs, NHIA will pay 30%, and cancer patients who are enrolled in the insurance program will only have to pay 20%.
Falode also said health insurance is now required for everyone in Nigeria. He encouraged cancer patients who are already enrolled in the insurance scheme to take advantage of this partnership to reduce their treatment costs.
Explaining further, Falode said, “Roche will pay 50% of the drug cost, NHIA will pay 30%, and the patient will pay just 20%—but only for those who are already registered with NHIA.”
He added that people should register for NHIA. Once registered, even before your name officially appears, you can still benefit from Roche’s 50% discount. When your name is confirmed, NHIA will start paying its 30% share, and you’ll only pay 20%.
Falode stressed that health insurance is now compulsory in Nigeria. Although it’s being rolled out step by step, everyone should make an effort to learn about it.
He explained that cancer treatment is very expensive, even for rich people. The only real way to handle it is to get help from those who can pay, and that’s what this program is for.
Speaking earlier to reporters, Olayode Babarinde, who works with Roche Nigeria, said the NHIA-Roche partnership is expanding to 17 more hospitals, including the one in Ile-Ife.
Babarinde also said that more Roche cancer treatment products will be available in more hospitals, and patients will be able to get them at the shared cost.
Professor John Okeniyi, Chief Medical Director of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, said this partnership is a great example of how government and private companies can work together to help people.
He added that it will help the hospital take better care of cancer patients during their treatment and follow-up visits.
