OAUTHC Partners NHIA, Roche To Slash Cost Of Cancer Drugs

Prof. John Okeniyi,the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), has said that National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and Roche company have agreed to partner the hospital on subsidising cancer drugs.

Okeniyi made the disclosure during the sensitisation on the Engagement and the Pre-Implementation of NHIA-Roche Oncology Cost Sharing Initiative Programme at Small Auditorium, Phase 1V, OAUTHC, on Friday, in Ile-Ife.

He stated that the initiative started in 2021 with many diagnostic arms where several teaching hospitals that are centres of excellence are now involved in Cancer diagnosis.

According to him, OAUTH, is a hub in this region that will provide such services with excellent histochemistry facilities, that is ongoing.

The CMD explained the initiative will help people’s drive for more NHIA enrollment and Roche company sell all their medications that’s available to the patients.

Okeniyi emphasised that this assist the hospital to follow up their care, for earlier, when there was no assistance , patients die when they can’t afford the treatment.

The CMD cited this as an example of Public Private Partnership that is win-win for everybody.

Also, the Osun State Coordinator of NHIA, Mr Olalekan Falode expressed that the sharing initiative for cancer patients
is where Roche pays a part in cost of the value of the drug.

Falode emphasised that ROCHE company pays 50%, NHIS paying 30% and the patient pays 20%, but the benefits are meant for NHIS registered patients.

He encouraged those that are unregistered to join NHIS, adding that as they are joining, even before your name comes out, they’re already entitled to 50% of the value of the drug with Roche is payment.

“And immediately your name comes out, 30% will be paid by the NHIA while the patient pays 20%.

“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”. He stressed.

In the same vein, Mr Babarinde Olayode, the Secretary, Healthcare System Partner-Policy for Roche Nigeria, said that the company work through seven centre in all geopolitical zone.

Olayode stated that the Roche currently expanded their programme to six geopolitical zone, dedicated to improving cancer care patients to 24 centres of excellency for significant growth in which OAUTHC Ife is one of the centres.

This include more of our products, more centres where patients are able to access our medication at a cost-sharing formula.