5th October, 2026 | News

NHIA Urges Nigerian Women to Prioritise Early Breast Cancer Detection as Treatment Costs Fall for Insured Patients

The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) has urged Nigerian women to prioritise early detection of breast cancer as the agency expands financial protection for insured patients undergoing oncology treatment.

The call comes during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as Nigeria continues to confront a significant cancer burden. Nigeria-specific estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory put the annual number of new breast cancer cases at 32,278, while about 16,332 deaths are recorded each year.

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Nigerian women and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the country.

NHIA Expands Financial Support for Cancer Treatment

The NHIA, under the leadership of its Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, is strengthening health insurance coverage to reduce the financial burden associated with cancer treatment.

A major intervention is an expanded partnership between the NHIA and pharmaceutical company Roche, which aims to make selected oncology medicines more affordable for eligible insured patients.

Under the arrangement, Roche covers 50 per cent of the cost of selected medicines, while the NHIA contributes 30 per cent. Patients are responsible for the remaining 20 per cent.

The arrangement means eligible patients could have 80 per cent of the cost of selected medicines covered, reducing the financial pressure on families dealing with prolonged cancer treatment.

NHIA Provides Additional Support for Radiotherapy and Diagnostics

The authority has also introduced additional financial support for radiotherapy, ranging from up to N400,000 to full coverage for eligible patients, depending on the applicable benefit package.

Cancer-related diagnostic services covered under applicable insurance packages include:

• Mammography
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• Bone scans
• Laboratory investigations

The broader cancer-care package also provides coverage for elements of screening, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and follow-up care, subject to eligibility and the terms of the relevant insurance plan.

Nigeria Records More Than 32,000 New Breast Cancer Cases Annually

The latest estimates cited by Nigerian health authorities and cancer stakeholders indicate that approximately 32,278 new breast cancer cases occur annually in Nigeria, with about 16,332 deaths linked to the disease.

The Federal Government has also said Nigeria accounts for approximately 10.5 per cent of Africa’s cancer burden, placing the country among the three most affected nations on the continent.

The figures highlight the importance of early detection, timely diagnosis and access to effective treatment.

For many Nigerian families, the cost of comprehensive cancer care can place significant pressure on household finances, particularly when treatment involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, specialised medicines and repeated diagnostic tests.

NHIA Says Insurance Must Provide Meaningful Financial Protection

Ohiri said the effectiveness of health insurance should not be measured solely by the number of people enrolled in insurance schemes.

According to him, the more important measure is whether insurance coverage provides meaningful financial protection when Nigerians develop serious illnesses.

More than 23 million Nigerians are currently enrolled in the national health insurance system, providing the NHIA with a growing platform to expand financial protection against cancer and other expensive medical conditions.

Nigeria Implements 2026–2030 National Cancer Control Plan

The NHIA’s measures form part of broader Federal Government efforts to improve cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment under the Nigeria National Cancer Control Plan 2026–2030.

The plan focuses on several areas, including:

• Cancer prevention
• Early detection and screening
• Diagnosis and treatment
• Patient navigation
• Survivorship
• Cancer research
• Data management
• Expansion of the oncology workforce

The government is also upgrading six Oncology Centres of Excellence across Nigeria.

According to the Federal Ministry of Health, centres at the University College Hospital, Ibadan; University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City; University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu; and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, are already operational and equipped with specialised oncology technology, including brachytherapy machines.

Cancer Access Partnership Expands Medicine Availability

Another government intervention is the Cancer Access Partnership programme, which provides 27 anti-cancer medicines in 48 formulations across 14 federal tertiary hospitals.

The government has also established a Cancer Health Fund to support indigent patients living with breast, cervical and prostate cancers.

Together, these programmes are designed to address different stages of cancer care, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment and financial support.

NHIA Urges Women to Act Early

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, the NHIA is urging women to pay attention to unusual changes in their breasts and seek medical attention promptly.

Women are also encouraged to take advantage of available screening opportunities and consult qualified healthcare professionals when they notice concerning changes.

The NHIA stressed that reducing Nigeria’s breast cancer burden will require earlier detection, improved access to treatment and stronger financial protection for patients and their families.

While the latest interventions represent progress in reducing the cost of cancer care, the authority noted that they are part of a broader response required to tackle the country’s cancer burden.