The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) is one of the focal centers for oncology care/cancer treatment in Nigeria under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in partnership with the Roche group. Roche as reported “is the fifth-largest pharmaceutical company in the world by revenue and the leading provider of cancer treatments globally. The hospital recently hosted a meeting with partners, including the Rivers state NHIA team, held at the hospital’s board room. The meeting made it possible for the teams to present the Cost Sharing Initiative Report for all stakeholders.
Cancer as it is known is one of the leading cause of death and imposes a huge economic burden because of how expensive treatment could cost . This has affected the response of a lot patients accessing health facility for treatment and these facilities also not being able to offer adequate care . A trend the government intends to avert. To ensure access to care, the cost initiative review is to ensure comprehensive care for patient at minimal cost. UPTH and other selected teaching hospitals were engaged . The hospital having specialist in oncology have continued to offer comprehensive cancer over the years and is making good her selection for this cancer treatment scheme.
Receiving other partners was the Chief Medical Director, Prof Henry A.A. Ugboma, represented by the DCMAC for Research, Grant and Innovations, Prof O. B. Braimoh with other members of the UPTH oncology team which includes, Prof O.N Ekeke, Dr Biyi-Olutunde Olusegun. Dr Uche Okite, Pharm (Dr) Prisca Egwu
The Rivers state NHIA team led by Mr Itodo Chris JP and Dr BobManuel Somiari explained that the scheme is to ensure cancer patients can have access to chemotherapy. Ensure access to high quality medication produced by Roche. To create awareness that cancer treatment is now provided under the NHIA scheme. He also stated that UPTH one of the first centres that cover a Comprehensive Emergency Obstetrics/ Antenatal Care under the NHIA. And is now is also fully involved as a designated center for oncology services.
He explained the purpose of the Cost Sharing initiative to enable ease of access for cancer drugs and Chemotherapy. The sharing initiative as he highlighted has 50% for ROCHE, 30% for NHIA while the patient is to make a commitment of 20% and 10000 naira service charge per cycle of care. Emphasizing that if patients are paying 20% only they would be able to sustain treatment for longer cycle because the cost will be lesser. Patients would be able to access Chemotherapy and other essential needs.
Dr BobManuel also stated that with subsidized cancer treatment, more patient will present their cases earlier He mentioned that there are twenty four pilot centres/ facilities been used for the initiative which includes -Federal Medical Center (FMC), Ebutte Metta Lagos , – University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Cross Rivers state, – Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Osun state, – Usman Dan Fodio University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto state-, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, etc
Breast cancer is reported the most common cancer that have benefited from the initiative. The molecules used to treat this cancer is produced by Roche. Only Roche products are covered by NHIA while other Cancer drugs are not .
Dr BobManuel disclosed the timeline for the implementation which are in three phases.- The first phase is the sensitization which will take place from July to August 2025. Early time , pro- Partnership and involvement of the centres of Excellence which is UPTH is one, the need to understand what they are supposed to pay and how to navigate the process. – The second is the genuine phase which is how the needed skills would be engaged like the pharmacists, Oncologists, laboratory scientist etc- The third phase is the on boarding phase which is where the new facilities like UPTH will be on boarded into a general platform to be abreast with current trends.
Mr Ojeriakhi Steve from the ROCHE team spoke on their objectives towards the cost shar,ing initiative which include :- To ensure more than 90% of cancer patients in Nigeria today get diagnosed- To work with the Oncology Pharmacy to make the medication accessible and available when the patients make request.
The program came to an end with management commending the team and a commitment to ensure the success of the scheme , thereafter a group photograph was taken with Prof Braimoh leading management and the visiting team .
