News Investigators/ The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), in collaboration with Roche Nigeria, has brought on board the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Makurdi as a subsidised cancer care centre.
Terseer Sar, Head of Access and Health Policy, Roche Nigeria, disclosed this during a strategic meeting with top management of the Makurdi Centre of Excellence (COE) in Makurdi
Mr Sar said the initiative, in partnership with other stakeholders, including Centres of Excellence (COEs), aimed to address the critical gaps in cancer care, particularly in access to medicines.
According to him, the programme is focused on improving cancer treatment across the full continuum of care.
He noted that one of the most important aspects of the programme was the cost-sharing arrangement.
“Under this model, Roche provides a 50 per cent discount on the cost of cancer medicines, NHIA covers an additional 30 per cent, and the patient contributes only 20 per cent
“This co-payment structure makes treatment significantly more affordable.
“Regarding eligibility and enrolment, this programme is designed for patients who are already covered under the NHIA scheme.
“If you are an NHIA beneficiary and you receive a confirmed diagnosis of cancer, you are automatically eligible for the programme.
“The next step is to go through the proper procedures, obtain a prescription, and complete the necessary documentation to begin receiving treatment under the scheme,” Sar explained.
He stressed that the initiative was to also bring cancer care closer to the people.
He explained that the initial pilot centres spread across the six geopolitical zones were reviewed, and it was discovered that many patients had to travel long distances to access care.
“That is why we are expanding the reach of this programme to facilities like FMC Makurdi, which already have the capacity and infrastructure to deliver quality cancer care.
“It only makes sense to include them in the network of treatment centres, and with the addition of FMC Makurdi, we now have 24 centres of excellence across the country,” Sar added.
Benue Coordinator of NHIA, Yakubu Ochokwunu, said that the focus and ultimate goal of the authority was to achieve universal health coverage.
Mr Ochokwunu said that the effects and dangers of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses were obvious.
The coordinator stated that the NHIA was to break the medical poverty cycle and reduce the financial burden of healthcare on individuals.
“NHIA is doing its best through various programmes to reach every Nigerian at their point of need. Our focus is on ensuring equitable access to healthcare.
“As we gather for a knowledge-sharing session, I remember during our sensitisation visits, people asked, Why doesn’t NHIA cover terminal illnesses?
“You only talk about malaria and typhoid. What about cancer?” That was a genuine concern, and today, I am glad to say we have a new and better focus.
“Terminal illnesses, starting with cancer, are now being brought under coverage. This is a major shift from the past.
“Cancer care is now being integrated, and I am particularly happy that FMC Makurdi has been selected as one of the pilot centres,” he said.
The Medical Director (MD) of FMC Makurdi, Dr Joseph Kortor, said that cancer treatment worldwide was extremely expensive and that the number of cancer treatment centres in Nigeria was insufficient considering Nigeria’s population.
Kortor lauded the Federal Ministry of Health, under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister, Prof. Ali Pate, for making significant progress in cancer care.
The MD said a substantial amount of the country’s health budget had been allocated to cancer treatment, a development he described as a commendable step.
“We also heard in the news that a new cancer centre was opened at Lagos University Teaching Hospital.
“These developments are essential because the goal is to reduce the number of Nigerians seeking treatment abroad and cut down on medical tourism.
“When I received a call from the Roche representative about this programme and the intention to initiate this collaboration here, I was encouraged.
“The vision is clear: everyone should have access to affordable, quality healthcare.
“As a Federal Medical Centre, we are a key stakeholder in achieving this goal in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders,” Kortor said.
NAN
