…Launches NHIA-Roche Subsidy Initiative in Osun State
The Federal Government has called on Nigerians battling cancer to enrol in the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme to access critical financial assistance for treatment and medications.
This appeal was made by the Osun State NHIA Coordinator, Mr. Olakekan Falode, during a sensitisation programme held at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife.
Falode emphasized the urgent need for Nigerians, especially those facing life-threatening conditions such as cancer, to embrace health insurance. He described it as a sustainable solution to the rising cost of healthcare in the country.
“Cancer is not a disease anyone can easily afford to treat. Even the wealthy struggle with the cost,” he noted.
He also announced the official rollout of the NHIA-Roche cost-sharing initiative in Osun State — a partnership between the Federal Government and global pharmaceutical giant, Roche. Under the scheme, eligible cancer patients registered with NHIA will pay only 20% of the cost of select cancer medications. Roche will bear 50% of the cost, while NHIA will cover the remaining 30%.
Falode further explained that new enrollees can begin benefiting from Roche’s 50% subsidy immediately, even before their NHIA registration is fully processed.
“Once their NHIA registration is finalized, the full cost-sharing formula takes effect. This initiative is a lifeline — it ensures that patients are not left to face the crushing financial burden of cancer treatment alone,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to make health insurance registration a priority. “It’s not just mandatory by law — it’s vital to survival in a time of health crisis,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Olayode Babarinde, Healthcare System Partner Policy Lead for Roche Nigeria, revealed that the cost-sharing partnership is being extended to 17 additional medical centres nationwide, including OAUTHC.
“This collaboration will make our innovative cancer medicines more accessible to patients across Nigeria at subsidised rates,” Babarinde explained.
The Chief Medical Director of OAUTHC, Professor John Okeniyi, described the NHIA-Roche partnership as a model for successful public-private collaboration in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
“This initiative will go a long way in improving cancer care delivery and follow-up treatment across the country,” Prof. Okeniyi said.
The sensitisation programme is part of the federal government’s wider effort to ensure more Nigerians benefit from the reformed NHIA system, which now mandates universal health insurance coverage for all citizens.
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