In a bold move to reduce the devastating financial toll of cancer care in Nigeria, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), in collaboration with Roche Pharmaceuticals and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, has launched a pioneering cost-sharing initiative. This multi-stakeholder partnership aims to improve access to high-cost oncology medications, enhance treatment outcomes, and significantly ease the financial burden on patients battling cancer.

The initiative reflects a renewed commitment to providing affordable, equitable, and quality healthcare, especially for vulnerable Nigerians who often face catastrophic health expenditures due to the high cost of cancer treatment.

Transforming Access to Cancer Care

Announced in Abuja on Friday, the initiative highlights a shared commitment to universal health coverage (UHC) and financial protection for patients. The collaboration adopts a cost-sharing model in which the financial responsibilities of cancer treatment are split among Roche Pharmaceuticals, NHIA, and the patients themselves.

During a presentation on the programme, Ms Linda Makwe of the NHIA’s Department of Standards and Quality Assurance emphasized the urgency of addressing financial barriers in cancer care. She explained that the programme was developed to bridge the gap between high-cost oncology medications and patients’ ability to access them.

“The cost of cancer treatment has remained out of reach for many Nigerians. This programme directly addresses that challenge by enabling patients to obtain life-saving oncology drugs at a significantly subsidised rate,” she stated.

Strategic Collaboration for Sustainable Healthcare

Ms Makwe further elaborated that this public-private partnership demonstrates NHIA’s strategic role in healthcare financing. As the key agency responsible for driving Nigeria’s health insurance system, NHIA plays a central role in strategic healthcare purchasing and policy implementation. This cost-sharing initiative is a testament to its evolving strategy to ensure sustainability and equity in healthcare delivery.

She outlined how the collaboration functions:

• Roche Pharmaceuticals commits to covering 50% of the cost of essential monoclonal oncology medications.

• Roche also offers logistical support, ensuring the seamless availability of these medicines at designated treatment centres.

• NHIA manages the patient access pathway, coordinates the financing mechanisms, and ensures that eligible patients benefit from the subsidies.

• The remaining cost is borne by patients, who now pay significantly less than they would in an out-of-pocket payment model.

This approach aligns with Nigeria’s broader goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, which includes reducing out-of-pocket expenses and ensuring equitable access to care.

Roche’s Commitment to Innovation and Affordability

Representing Roche during the event, Mr Funsho David, Team Lead for Oncology at the pharmaceutical giant, underscored Roche’s commitment to innovation and affordability. He described the programme as a strategic intervention designed to reduce health inequalities and expand access to essential cancer care services.

“Through this cost-sharing model, we aim to remove one of the biggest obstacles patients face: affordability. This partnership ensures that access to treatment is not determined by a person’s income,” he explained.

David also stressed the dual benefit of the model: while patients access high-quality treatment at reduced prices, they are also protected from plunging into poverty due to medical bills.

“This initiative is not just about medicine; it is about dignity, survival, and giving Nigerians a fighting chance against cancer,” he said.

Enhancing Service Capacity at FMC Abuja

The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abuja, a key implementation partner, plays a central role in the clinical delivery of this initiative. In his address, Prof. Saad Ahmed, Chief Medical Director of FMC Abuja—represented by Dr Muftau Bioku, Director of Clinical Services—welcomed the collaboration as a timely response to the growing cancer burden in Nigeria.

He acknowledged that the cost of cancer treatment remains unaffordable for the majority of Nigerians, forcing many patients to forgo necessary treatments or turn to substandard alternatives.

“This initiative is a lifeline for patients. It enables us to offer more comprehensive and accessible cancer care, which has always been one of our primary goals,” Dr Bioku stated.

To further enhance service delivery, Mr Funsho David urged FMC Abuja to expand its NHIA service accreditations from the current six to over 20. This expansion would allow the facility to offer a complete continuum of oncology care—including diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, rehabilitation, and palliative support.

A History of Commitment to Health Equity

The roots of this partnership date back to November 2021, when Roche Products Ltd and the NHIA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on strengthening Nigeria’s pursuit of universal health coverage. The primary aim of the agreement was to improve cancer care accessibility through shared financial responsibility.

Under the initial agreement:

• Patients received subsidised access to essential medications.

• Roche and NHIA shared the financial burden, reducing the cost barrier for patients.

• The initiative offered critical protection against catastrophic healthcare expenditures, allowing patients to afford not just medication, but also related care services such as diagnostics and follow-up treatment.

After two years of successful implementation and review, the programme underwent major expansion in 2025 to deepen its impact and reach.

Expanded Benefits for Nigerian Patients

The expanded partnership now includes several key enhancements aimed at improving access and quality of care:

• Full treatment coverage for eligible patients.

• Inclusion of uninsured patients, providing broader access to life-saving treatment regardless of insurance status.

• Patient navigation and counselling services, which help patients understand their treatment pathways and manage their care effectively.

• Immunohistochemistry testing for eligible patients, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning.

These expanded services underscore the partnership’s holistic approach—not just supplying medication, but also ensuring a comprehensive, patient-centred cancer care experience.

Supporting Nigeria’s UHC Goals

At its core, this tripartite collaboration supports Nigeria’s strategic goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage by:

• Making high-cost oncology drugs more affordable.

• Reducing the out-of-pocket expenditure for patients.

• Expanding access to diagnostic and rehabilitative services.

• Enhancing the capacity of healthcare institutions like FMC Abuja to deliver world-class cancer care.

The initiative also aligns with the WHO’s global call for governments to increase investment in cancer control and adopt inclusive, affordable healthcare models.

Conclusion: A Beacon of Hope for Cancer Patients

The NHIA-Roche-FMC Abuja cost-sharing initiative signals a turning point in Nigeria’s fight against cancer. By removing financial barriers, expanding clinical services, and prioritizing patients’ dignity, this partnership has become a beacon of hope for thousands of Nigerians facing life-threatening illnesses.

It stands as a compelling example of what can be achieved when government agencies, private corporations, and health institutions come together with a shared vision. In a country where access to healthcare often determines survival, this initiative proves that collaboration, compassion, and strategic investment can save lives.

As the programme continues to scale, it holds the potential to serve as a national model for healthcare equity—not only in oncology, but across the broader spectrum of chronic and high-cost diseases.