NHIA-Roche cancer treatment initiative slashes cancer drug costs by 80% for NHIS enrollees. Nigerians urged to join mandatory health insurance to benefit

NHIA-Roche cancer treatment initiative has brought new hope to cancer patients in Osun State, with an 80% reduction in the cost of cancer drugs now accessible through a public-private partnership between the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and Roche Nigeria.

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Announced at a sensitisation event at Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife, Osun NHIA Coordinator Olalekan Falode encouraged Nigerians to take advantage of the mandatory health insurance scheme to access this life-saving opportunity.

Under the new NHIA-Roche cancer treatment initiative, Roche covers 50% of the cancer drug cost, NHIA pays 30%, and the patient—if enrolled in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)—pays only 20%.

“Cancer is not something even the wealthy can easily fund out of pocket,” Falode warned. “Health insurance is now mandatory, and through this initiative, we’re reducing the burden significantly.”

Even new enrollees in NHIS can begin benefiting from the Roche-subsidized portion immediately upon registration, with NHIA’s support kicking in once enrolment is confirmed.

Roche Nigeria’s Policy Partner, Olayode Babarinde, revealed that the program is expanding to 17 more hospitals nationwide, including the OAUTHC Ife, offering cancer drugs at significantly reduced costs.

Prof. John Okeniyi, CMD of OAUTHC, hailed the program as a model of effective public-private collaboration, saying it will strengthen patient care and follow-up in cancer treatment.

Also read: Nigeria to commission three major cancer facilities by May 2025

The NHIA-Roche cancer treatment initiative is a powerful step forward in making quality healthcare accessible, sustainable, and affordable in Nigeria.