Nairobi: Continued engagement with Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and other state institutions is beginning to expand access to cancer care, says Maturin Tchoumi, a Senior Roche Executive. However, according to him, late diagnosis and low breast cancer awareness are still costing lives.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tchoumi, who leads Roche’s pharmaceutical business in Africa, spoke on the sidelines of the Africa Press Day 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, with the theme ‘Health is Wealth’. He noted that closer collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and NHIA was already translating into more women receiving breast cancer treatment under public schemes.
Tchoumi emphasized the importance of early detection, explaining that earlier diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes. He highlighted the stark contrast between Africa and Europe, noting that while eight out of ten women in Europe show up early, leading to high survival rates, in Africa, seven out of ten women present too late, resulting in poorer outcomes. He called for continuous breast cancer awareness beyond Breast Cancer Awareness month and stressed the importance of regular self-checks.
In Nigeria, Tchoumi highlighted the impact of the Cancer Fund, which has facilitated treatment for over 300 women. With the integration of national health insurance, nearly 800 women have received treatment, demonstrating the effectiveness of government partnerships in expanding access to care.
He also discussed ongoing NHIA engagement and new investments, pointing out collaboration between the Minister of Health and NHIA to ensure cancer treatment coverage for most Nigerians. Tchoumi mentioned a deal with international financiers to establish a Cancer Centre in regions outside Lagos and Abuja, aligning with the strategy to make cancer coverage accessible and affordable.
Efforts are underway to ensure that Nigerians can receive the same level of care domestically as they would abroad, with centres like Med Serve in LUTH playing a key role. Tchoumi stressed the need to raise awareness about these centres and promote early detection, which remains crucial given the poorer outcomes in Africa compared to Europe.
NAN reports that the company and its partners are committed to changing the narrative of breast cancer in Nigeria through the Africa Breast Cancer Ambition (ABCA). It is estimated that the direct and indirect costs of breast cancer across 10 African countries, including Nigeria, could reach approximately $33 billion from 2017 to 2032.