Roche, an international pharmaceutical company in collaboration with the National Healthcare Insurance Authority (NHIA), had unveiled subsidised cancer medication drugs at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).
Policy Lead at Roche International, Mr. Babarinde Olayofe, made the announcement at the official launch of a cut in price of cancer drugs by 80 per cent at the UMTH on Wednesday.
Olayode said the initiative was to provide access to life-saving cancer care for patients under NHIA’s enrolment at a reduced cost of 80 per cent.
He noted that the programme was being implemented in 24 centres nationwide, making it easier for cancer patients under health insurance to access quality medication at an affordable 20 per cent cost. His words: “The opportunity for cancer patients is today, they are able to access medication at just 20 per cent of the cost.
“Roche will do 50 per cent, NHIA will do 30 per cent, and the patient is going to pay only 20 per cent. This is a subsidy and a financial protection for the patient.”
Olayode said the initiative targets breast, cervical, prostate and other cancers, which account for a significant number of cancer-related deaths in the country.
Speaking on behalf of NHIA, Hajiya Sa’adatu Abdulwahab, an Assistant Director, encouraged uninsured cancer patients who were not insured to embrace the basic healthcare funds in states, and key in to benefit from the 80 per cent subsidy.
In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UMYH, Prof. Ahmed Ahidjo, lauded the efforts, urging the NHIA to extend its generousity to other specislised areas, adding that the tertiary medical facility alone has about eight specialised centres, which also needed the same attention given to cancer.
