The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital has partnered with Roche and the National Health Insurance Authority to reduce oncology drug costs by up to 80% for insured patients.
This transformative cost-sharing programme, launched on Thursday, aims to make life-saving cancer care more accessible and affordable for residents of Rivers State, offering hope to countless patients struggling with the high costs of treatment.
Announcing the initiative the, Head of Access and Health Policy, Roche Product Nigeria Limited, Terseer Sar, said UPTH is one of 17 new centres joining the programme.
Mr Sar stated, “Patience can begin to access care immediately as of today. Our aim is to bring affordable cancer care to Nigerians so they can treat the disease without going into poverty.”
Under the arrangement, he said insured patients will pay only 20 percent of the cost of medicines, with Roche covering 50 percent and NHIA paying 30 percent. Uninsured patients will contribute 50 percent, while Roche funds the balance.
Sar describe cancer as a ‘financially catastrophic illness’, saying many Nigerians “sell their properties or forgo treatment” due to high costs.
The NHIA’s Rivers State Coordinator, Mr. Itodo Chris, assured that funding would not derail the programme.
Chris stated, “The fear that NHIA will not continue to pay its counterpart funds should not arise. We are prepared to ensure people have access to healthcare. ”
He disclosed that Rivers State has about 215,000 people enrolled in health insurance schemes and called for greater participation to achieve universal health coverage.
“We want your cooperation to see more Nigerians enroll in NHIA. Everyone, not just civil servants, can register,” Chris added.
The Chief Medical Director of the UPTH, represented by Prof. Braimoh Bashiru, Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, UPTH, hailed the partnership, describing it as a lifeline.
“Many of our cancer patients simply cannot afford treatment. This initiative will lift the burden and save lives,” he assured.
The UPTH CMD encouraged individuals to take up NHIA plans, which cost N38,000 annually, allowing access to care in high-end facilities nationwide.
