The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a groundbreaking initiative to provide free cancer medications to thousands of children in low- and middle-income countries in an effort to boost survival rates.
As part of the pilot phase, the first shipments of these medicines have already been delivered to Mongolia and Uzbekistan, with further distributions planned for Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal, and Zambia. The program aims to provide lifesaving treatments to approximately 5,000 children across at least 30 hospitals in these six nations by the end of the year.
“Countries in the pilot phase will receive an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines at no cost,” WHO stated, emphasizing the importance of addressing disparities in cancer care.
Currently, childhood cancer survival rates in low- and middle-income countries remain below 30%, compared to 80% in wealthier nations. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the urgent need for this initiative, stating, “For too long, children with cancer have lacked access to life-saving medicines.”
Beyond the pilot phase, an additional six countries have been invited to join, with the platform aiming to expand to 50 countries within the next five to seven years, reaching approximately 120,000 children.
Each year, an estimated 400,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, with a 70% mortality rate in resource-limited settings due to factors such as inadequate treatment, supply disruptions, or substandard medicines.
The WHO confirmed that the provision of cost-free cancer drugs will extend beyond the pilot phase, with efforts underway to ensure long-term sustainability.
Originally announced in December 2021, this initiative is a collaboration between the WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The nonprofit pediatric treatment and research center has pledged $200 million to support the launch and expansion of the platform.
AFP
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