Osun: Cancer patients to enjoy affordable healthcare services – NHIA Boss
Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)
The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) in Osun State said it is committed to providing better healthcare services for cancer patients registered under its healthcare providers and Health Management Organisations (HMOs).
State Coordinator of NHIA, Mr. Olalekan Falode, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Osogbo.
Falode revealed that NHIA has introduced some programmes which include NHIA/Roche initiative for cancer drugs, Free Fistula Programme (FFP), and other medical care services aimed at providing better healthcare for its beneficiaries.
He explained that the authority had also collaborated with the Roche Pharmaceutical company for the production of drugs for cancer patients who are beneficiaries of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
“The cancer drugs are done in a way that Roche Pharmaceuticals will pay 50 percent, NHIA will pay 30 percent, while the patient will pay 20 percent due to the cost implication of such drugs.
“When they enroll with us, there’s a 60-day waiting period. If the patient’s name isn’t out yet, they can access 50 percent of medical services. Once their name is released, they’ll enjoy 80 percent of the benefits,” Falode said.
According to him, the essence of the recent stakeholders’ workshop with HMOs, MDAs and others is to inform them about the new changes in the NHIA law.
“Under the new law, beneficiaries are required to register with health insurance organisations before enjoying such services and each must be a bonafide citizen of Nigeria.
“We have the vulnerable group funds that was created under the new NHIA law of 2022 and such law gives basic healthcare provision fund for our patients,” he said.
Falode said the vulnerable fund provides access to minimum healthcare packages for cancer patients who lack the means and resources to afford them under the law.
“The informal sector has the largest number of vulnerable people compared to the formal sector and they do not have the funds to register. We need to reach them.
“It is with this fund that we provide adequate healthcare services for them as stipulated in the new law of 2022 and that is why we are coming up with FFP, affordable cancer care among others,” he said.
The state coordinator noted that HMOs are now on their toes due to the new law, which empowers NHIA to withdraw, fine, or sanction non-compliant bodies.
He added the new NHIA law also empowers HMOs enrollees to acquire authorisation codes in accredited hospitals within an hour for better healthcare services.
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