Cancer: Health insurance mandatory in Nigeria — Osun NHIA boss

The Osun State office of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has called on Nigerians to embrace health insurance as a vital tool in the fight against cancer, stressing that insurance coverage is now mandatory nationwide.

Speaking during a sensitisation event held at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, the NHIA Coordinator in Osun, Olalekan Falode, urged Nigerians, especially cancer patients, to take advantage of the NHIA-Roche Nigeria cost-sharing initiative, which significantly reduces the cost of cancer medication.

According to Falode, the initiative will allow cancer patients to enjoy an 80 per cent cut in the cost of cancer drugs.

While 50 per cent of the cost of the drugs will be paid by Roche, NHIS will pay 30 per cent, leaving the patients who are NHIS enrollees with 20 per cent.

He explained that health insurance has become mandatory for Nigerians, urging cancer patients who have enrolled in NHIS to make use of the opportunity provided by the Roche/NHIS partnership to lessen the financial burden associated with the treatment of the disease.

Falode, while providing further explanation about the initiative, said, “It is a situation where Roche pays a part of the cost of the value of the drug. They are paying 50 per cent, NHIS pays 30 per cent, and the patient pays 20 per cent. But it is for NHIS registered patients.

“We are encouraging others to join NHIS, and as you are joining, even before your name comes out, you are already entitled to 50 per cent of the value of the drug which Roche is paying. Immediately, your name comes out, 30 per cent will be paid by the NHIA, while the patient pays 20 per cent,” he said.

He noted that health insurance is “now mandatory in Nigeria. So everybody needs to get health insurance in Nigeria. It is only that we are implementing gradually.

“It is only advisable for Nigerians to make enquiry about health insurance.

“Cancer is not a disease anyone can pay for, even if you are rich. It takes so much money from your pocket. So the only way to combat cancer is to get those who are going to pay for the enrollees, and that is what we are doing.”

Earlier in his address, Healthcare System Partner Policy for Roche Nigeria, Olayode Babarinde, said the NHIS-Roche cost-sharing initiative is expanding to 17 more centres, noting that OAUTHC Ife is one of the new centres.

Babarinde said many products of the company would be available at more designated medical facilities where patients can access them at cost-sharing rates.

On his part, the Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Prof. John Okeniyi, said the initiative would assist the hospital’s follow-up care for cancer patients.

He added that the initiative remains an ideal example of a public/private partnership designed to serve the people.

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