Makurdi | August 8, 2025
The Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Makurdi, has officially been integrated into the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA)–Roche Nigeria cost-sharing initiative, expanding access to affordable cancer treatment for residents of Benue and neighbouring states.
The development was confirmed on Monday during an onboarding ceremony at the FMC Makurdi complex, where officials from Roche Pharmaceutical Nigeria and NHIA jointly unveiled the centre as one of the latest additions to the nationwide cancer care programme.
“This collaboration represents a major leap forward in our mission to decentralise cancer treatment and ensure that patients in underserved areas receive timely, affordable care,” said Terseer Sar, Head of Access and Health Policy at Roche Nigeria.
Cost-Sharing Model to Ease Financial Burden
The initiative, launched through a public–private partnership between Roche and NHIA, operates under a cost-sharing arrangement in which:
Roche provides 50% subsidy on the cost of select cancer drugs,
NHIA covers 30%, and
Patients pay the remaining 20% out-of-pocket.
The programme, initially piloted in six centres, has now expanded to include 24 accredited public hospitals across Nigeria, with FMC Makurdi among the latest to be enlisted.
“This scheme allows cancer patients in Benue to access lifesaving treatment without the extreme financial pressure that has historically prevented many from continuing care,” Sar added.
Cancer Care Comes Closer to Home
Prior to this development, many cancer patients in Benue State were forced to travel to Lagos, Abuja, or Enugu for subsidised treatment—trips that were often unaffordable or logistically impossible. With FMC Makurdi now an accredited centre, care is expected to become significantly more accessible.
“This is a turning point for oncology care in this region,” said Dr. Terkaa Aluba, a senior oncologist at FMC Makurdi. “We see too many patients presenting late or abandoning treatment because of cost or distance. This programme will save lives.”
The inclusion of FMC Makurdi follows a July 2025 announcement by NHIA and Roche to scale the partnership nationally, citing success from a 2021 pilot programme and growing demand for equitable oncology services.
Gaps and Clarifications
While the programme is a welcome intervention, questions remain regarding the operational details at FMC Makurdi:
It is unclear if the ₦10,000 service charge per chemotherapy cycle, reported at other centres, will apply in Makurdi.
Access is currently limited to NHIA-registered patients. No provision has yet been outlined for uninsured or informal-sector patients.
Patient enrollment and referral procedures are expected to be communicated in the coming weeks.
Local health officials say the hospital is working closely with NHIA to develop outreach campaigns and streamline access.
Background and National Outlook
Nigeria records over 120,000 new cancer cases annually, according to the World Health Organization, with many unable to afford consistent care. The NHIA–Roche model is seen as a replicable solution to reduce financial barriers to oncology treatment in low- and middle-income settings.
Experts say the Makurdi onboarding reinforces efforts to decentralise cancer care and ensure more equitable coverage across geopolitical zones.
“This is proof that public-private partnerships can close the gap in specialist healthcare delivery,” said a representative from the NHIA, who attended the launch
