NHIA Offers Cancer Patients Up to N400,000 Radiotherapy Support
Cancer patients enrolled under Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme are set to receive financial assistance of up to N400,000 to help cover the cost of radiotherapy treatment.
The intervention, introduced under a cost-sharing arrangement by the NHIA, is aimed at reducing the financial burden faced by Nigerians battling cancer and improving access to essential treatment.
The NHIA Director-General, Dr Kelechi Ohiri, disclosed the development in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He explained that the initiative was designed to ensure that the high cost of cancer treatment does not prevent patients from starting or completing medically necessary care.
Under the arrangement, the NHIA will cover 50 per cent of an eligible patient’s radiotherapy bill, subject to a maximum contribution of N400,000.
For instance, where a patient’s eligible radiotherapy bill is N600,000, the 50 per cent contribution would amount to N300,000. Where the bill is higher, the NHIA contribution remains capped at N400,000 under the stated arrangement.
Ohiri explained that the initiative was particularly important because radiotherapy remains an essential component of cancer treatment, while its cost can place considerable pressure on patients and their families.
He said the NHIA was also working with oncology centres across the country to improve access to radiotherapy and strengthen the quality of cancer services available to insured Nigerians.
According to him, the authority is pursuing the accreditation of additional treatment centres while strengthening partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and suppliers of medical equipment.
NHIA Expands Cancer Care Coverage
The cancer support programme extends beyond radiotherapy, with the NHIA providing access to several diagnostic and treatment services through its formal sector programme and the Group Individual and Family Social Health Insurance Programme (GIFSHIP).
Among the diagnostic services covered are MRI and CT scans, mammography, ultrasound, histology, endoscopy and tumour marker tests, depending on the applicable benefit package and eligibility requirements.
The authority also covers selected cancer-related surgical procedures, including mastectomy and prostatectomy, alongside certain chemotherapy medicines through different cost-sharing arrangements.
Ohiri disclosed that more than 200 cancer patients receiving treatment at seven tertiary healthcare institutions across Nigeria had already benefited from the NHIA’s medicine cost-sharing programme.
He said the authority would continue expanding its interventions to reduce financial barriers and ensure that more Nigerians have timely access to cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Broader Push to Improve Cancer Treatment
The latest intervention comes amid wider efforts by the Federal Government to strengthen cancer care infrastructure and increase access to radiotherapy services across Nigeria.
In 2025, the Federal Government announced a cost-sharing scheme offering low-income cancer patients subsidies of up to N400,000 for radiotherapy. It also unveiled plans to establish additional oncology centres across strategic locations in the country.
More recently, Nigeria has pursued partnerships aimed at improving radiotherapy capacity, technology transfer and specialist training. In August 2026, the government announced a cooperation arrangement with Chinese partners covering radiotherapy technical support, research and development, academic exchanges, and plans toward local assembly and servicing of radiotherapy and imaging equipment by 2030.
The developments are significant in a Country where the cost and availability of specialised cancer treatment remain major concerns for many families.
Global Mirror News gathered that the NHIA’s latest cost-sharing intervention could provide some relief to insured cancer patients, particularly those who might otherwise struggle to finance radiotherapy. However, patients will need to access the treatment through eligible/accredited facilities and comply with the applicable NHIA requirements.
The initiative is therefore expected to complement ongoing government efforts to expand oncology infrastructure, increase the number of accredited treatment centres and make cancer care more financially accessible to Nigerians.
