The Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) has partnered with pharmaceutical giant Roche to provide subsidised cancer treatment.
Prof. John Okeniyi, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, announced the collaboration during a sensitisation event on the NHIA-Roche Oncology Cost Sharing Initiative held Friday in Ile-Ife.
He said the hospital is also working with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) under a public-private partnership to make cancer drugs more accessible and affordable for patients.
Okeniyi explained that the partnership was aimed at reducing the financial burden of cancer treatment for patients.
The CMD explained the initiative would help people’s drive for more NHIA enrolment and Roche company to sell all their medications that is available to patients.
He emphasised that the partnership would assist the hospital to follow up on care earlier, when there was no assistance, noting that patients died when they can not afford the treatment.
Speaking, the Osun State Coordinator of NHIA, Mr Olalekan Falode said that the sharing initiative for cancer patient is that Roche will pay 50 per cent, NHIS paying 30 per cent and the patient pays 20 per cent.
He emphasised that the benefits are for NHIS registered patients.
He encouraged more people to enrol in NHIS, adding that they are entitled to 50 per cent of the value of the drug with Roche payment.
“Immediately your name comes out, 30 per cent will be paid by the NHIA while the patient pays 20 per cent.
“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 enrolees 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 centres in all geopolitical zones.
Olayode stated that the Roche is dedicated to improving cancer care patients in 24 centres for significant growth in which OAUTHC 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,” he stated.
