Cancer patient says the NHF helped him access life-saving medication

Now approaching the one-year anniversary of his prostate cancer diagnosis, Devon Cummings* is crediting his improving health to his becoming a National Health Fund (NHF) card beneficiary.

Cummings says he was not able to afford his medication for treatment before due to the high costs attached.

“To tell you the truth, when the doctor told me about the medication I need (ed), I went to check it out and realised that it could cost up to $60,000 for the injection alone. I told the doctor I can’t afford it,” Cummings said.

Diagnosed in December 2021, he says he was forced to endure his symptoms for an additional three months before acquiring the NHF card.

Cummings shared that he was urinating frequently, had delayed excretion, trouble starting urination and experienced painful flow of urine. Although he had a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test done he was not diagnosed. One night, however, he says he was unable to pass urine, and rushed to the Princess Margaret Hospital to seek treatment. He was subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I couldn’t buy any medication! I just could not afford them at all so the doctor recommended that I get the [NHF]card. Right now, I pay about $7,500 every three months. I appreciate the card very, very much. I love it!” he emphasised.

Now receiving and taking his medication consistently, he says his symptoms have lessened.

The St Thomas resident is one of just over 21,000 beneficiaries enrolled in the NHF card programme for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the seventeen illnesses covered by the NHF card programme and is one of seven conditions that has a subsidy rate for medication of up to 70 per cent. In the last financial year prostate cancer accounted for the highest average subsidy per claim of $24,282.89.

“Healthcare is expensive. We are aware of the high costs associated with treating chronic illnesses and that is why we work as hard as we do as an organisation to continue improving the services we offer. With so many persons in Jamaica diagnosed with chronic illnesses the demand and need are great. We are, therefore, committed to the role we play in improving lives,” said NHF’s chief executive officer, Everton Anderson.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Jamaica. Persons diagnosed with prostate cancer are being encouraged to sign up for the NHF card for greater access to life-preserving medication. The application form is found online at www.nhf.org.jm, or patients may speak to their doctor about becoming an NHF beneficiary.

*Name changed for privacy reasons