It is estimated that 400 000 children develop cancer every year. Close to 90% of them live in low- and middle-income countries, where survival rates are less than 30%. This is in stark contrast to high-income countries, where survival rates exceed 80%. A significant cause of this disparity in survival is insufficient access to quality-assured, safe, effective and affordable medicines for childhood cancer.
This year, the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have commenced distribution of critically-needed childhood cancer medicines in six pilot countries, through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (Global Platform). To accomplish this, St. Jude and WHO partner with UNICEF Supply Division, and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Strategic Fund.
Currently, medicines are being delivered to Ecuador, Mongolia, Nepal, Uzbekistan and Zambia, with next shipments planned for Jordan. The treatments are expected to reach approximately 5000 children with cancer across at least 30 hospitals in these countries within the year. An additional six countries began the onboarding process to join the Global Platform, including El Salvador, Ghana, Moldova, Pakistan, Senegal and Sri Lanka.
Webinar objectives:
In recognition of this milestone, we are pleased to announce the first stakeholder engagement meeting of 2025 for the Global Platform to share progress, challenges, and knowledge learned in delivering medicines to participating countries.
We welcome you to join us and look forward to your participation as we strengthen collaboration and drive greater collective impact for children with cancer around the world.
Agenda Topics:
- Achievements at global, country level and next steps
- Procurement and supply insights
- Country implementation progress
- Brief partner spotlight
- Moderated Q&A
- Closing remarks
