The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has introduced a cost-sharing initiative that provides eligible cancer patients with up to N400,000 in financial support for radiotherapy treatment.
The initiative is aimed at reducing the financial burden associated with cancer care and improving access to radiotherapy services for patients who may struggle to afford treatment.
NHIA Director-General, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, said the authority provides a 50 per cent subsidy on radiotherapy costs, subject to a maximum of N400,000.
Ohiri explained that radiotherapy remains an important component of cancer treatment, particularly for patients with advanced disease, but its high cost has made access difficult for many Nigerians.
He said the NHIA was working with oncology facilities across the country to expand access to radiotherapy while increasing the number of accredited treatment centres.
Beyond radiotherapy, the authority’s oncology coverage includes diagnostic services such as MRI, CT scans, mammography, ultrasound, histology and endoscopy.
The NHIA also provides coverage for some cancer-related surgeries, including mastectomy and prostatectomy, as well as fully and partially covered chemotherapy medicines under its cost-sharing arrangements.
Ohiri added that the authority was collaborating with pharmaceutical companies to expand access to cancer medicines, noting that the cost-sharing initiative had already benefited more than 200 patients receiving treatment at seven tertiary healthcare centres.
Former Nigerian Cancer Society president, Dr Adamu Umar, welcomed the initiative, saying greater financial support for cancer treatment would help reduce the burden on patients and their families.
He called for the programme to reach more cancer patients across the country.
