The National Health Insurance Authority, Roche Pharmaceuticals and the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, have launched a cost-sharing initiative to help cancer patients reduce financial barriers to accessing oncology care.
The partnership is also to enhance cancer care accessibility, improve treatment outcomes, and shield Nigerians from the high costs associated with cancer treatment.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja, during a presentation on the initiative, the NHIA Department of Standards and Quality Assurance Ms Linda Makwe, said the programme was designed to improve access to high-cost oncology medications, especially for vulnerable Nigerians.
She said the partnership showcases NHIA’s role in strategic healthcare purchasing, adding that one of the key objectives was to enhance access to essential, life-saving cancer treatments while ensuring financial sustainability.
“The programme ensures that patients have access to critical oncology drugs at a subsidised rate, with the financial burden shared between Roche, NHIA and the patient,” she said.
She explained that with the agreement, Roche covers 50 per cent of the cost of monoclonal medicines and provides logistical support to ensure drug availability, while NHIA manages patient access and coordinates financing mechanisms.
She noted that the programme also aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for patients and aligns with Nigeria’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
Also speaking, the Team Lead for Oncology at Roche, Mr Funsho David, said the collaboration was committed to delivering innovative and affordable cancer care for Nigerians.
He said the cost-sharing model splits financial obligations among Roche, NHIA and the patient, allowing patients to afford both prescribed medicines and other associated treatment services.
“This approach not only guarantees access to essential oncology medicines but also protects patients from catastrophic health expenditures,” he said.
David commended FMC Abuja for its support and encouraged the facility to expand its NHIA service accreditations from six to over 20, in order to offer a full continuum of cancer care from diagnosis to surgery, chemotherapy and rehabilitation.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of FMC Abuja, Prof. Saad Ahmed, welcomed the partnership, saying it would significantly ease the financial burden faced by many cancer patients.
Saad, who was represented by the Director of Clinical Services, Dr Muftau Bioku, emphasized that cancer treatment is often unaffordable for most Nigerians, making the cost-sharing initiative timely and impactful.
In November 2021, Roche Products Ltd and the National Health Insurance Authority signed a MoU for a partnership to improve universal health coverage in Nigeria.
The major focus of the partnership is to provide innovative and accessible cancer care. The partnership is a cost-sharing initiative which splits the financial obligation between the patient, and Roche respectively, ensuring that the patient pays a minimum amount for their
treatment, thus providing financial protection for patients. As a consequence, patients can afford both their prescription and other aspects of their care.
After a two-year pilot, a review and expansion to improve access and provide more benefits to Nigerians was signed in 2025 between Roche and the NHIA Management.
The expansion also includes full treatment coverage, access for uninsured patients, navigation and counselling services for patients and
immunohistochemistry testing for eligible patients.
The partnership is focused on supporting the NHIA and Nigeria on the journey towards UHC by creating access to affordable cancer care for Nigerians, improving treatment outcomes, and protecting Nigerians from the financial catastrophe of cancer treatment.
