Roche and NHIA Cut Cancer Drug Costs by 80% for UPTH Patients
The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital has partnered with Roche and the National Health Insurance Authority to reduce the cost of cancer drugs by up to 80 percent for insured patients. The new cost-sharing programme, launched on Thursday, is expected to improve access to life-saving treatment for cancer patients in Rivers State.
Terseer Sar, Head of Access and Health Policy at Roche Product Nigeria Limited, said the initiative will allow patients to begin receiving treatment immediately. He noted that UPTH is one of 17 new centres selected to take part in the programme, which aims to provide affordable cancer care so patients do not fall into poverty while trying to pay for treatment.
Under the new arrangement, insured patients will only pay 20 percent of the cost of oncology medicines, while Roche will cover 50 percent and the NHIA will cover 30 percent. Uninsured patients will pay 50 percent of the cost, with Roche covering the remaining balance.
Sar described cancer as a financially devastating illness, pointing out that many Nigerians are forced to sell their property or completely abandon treatment because they can no longer afford the high medical bills.
The NHIA Coordinator for Rivers State, Mr. Itodo Chris, assured the public that funding for the programme will not be interrupted. He said the agency is committed to ensuring that people have access to quality healthcare and encouraged more residents to register for health insurance.
Chris added that around 215,000 residents of Rivers State are currently enrolled in health insurance schemes and urged for greater participation in order to move closer to universal health coverage.
Representing the Chief Medical Director of UPTH, Professor Braimoh Bashiru praised the partnership and described it as a lifeline for cancer patients. He explained that many patients simply cannot afford treatment and that this new programme will reduce the financial burden and save lives.
The UPTH management also encouraged residents to consider enrolling in NHIA plans, which cost ₦38,000 per year and provide access to quality healthcare services in top hospitals across the country.
