WHO launches plan for free child cancer medicines

Key Takeaways:

• WHO’s new platform delivers free cancer medicines to children in need.
• Initial shipments are reaching Mongolia and Uzbekistan during the pilot phase.
• The program aims to serve 5,000 children across six countries this year.
• Childhood cancer survival rates are below 30% in low- and middle-income countries.
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has committed $200 million to the initiative.

A Global Initiative to Combat Childhood Cancer

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a groundbreaking platform to provide cost-free cancer medicines to thousands of children in low- and middle-income countries. This ambitious initiative seeks to address the alarming disparity in childhood cancer survival rates between resource-limited settings and high-income nations.

First Deliveries Mark the Pilot Phase

The initial shipments of life-saving medicines are being delivered to Mongolia and Uzbekistan, inaugurating the platform’s pilot phase. Further deliveries are planned for Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal, and Zambia. In total, the treatments are expected to reach around 5,000 children across at least 30 hospitals in these six countries this year.

“Countries in the pilot phase will receive an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines at no cost,” the WHO announced in a statement.

Bridging the Survival Gap

Childhood cancer survival rates in low- and middle-income countries often fall below 30%, a stark contrast to the approximately 80% survival rate in high-income countries. Factors such as lack of appropriate treatment, treatment disruptions, and access to low-quality medicines contribute to this disparity.

“For too long, children with cancer have lacked access to life-saving medicines,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Expanding Reach and Impact

The platform’s vision extends beyond the initial six countries. An additional six nations have been invited to join, with the goal of reaching 50 countries within the next five to seven years. This expansion aims to provide essential medicines to approximately 120,000 children, significantly impacting global childhood cancer care.

Addressing a Critical Health Challenge

Each year, an estimated 400,000 children worldwide develop cancer, the majority of whom live in resource-limited settings. The WHO notes that up to 70% of these children die from cancer due to inadequate access to effective treatments and care.

A Collaborative Effort for Sustainable Change

The establishment of this platform was first announced in December 2021 and is a joint venture between the WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The non-profit pediatric treatment and research institution has committed $200 million to launch the initiative.

The WHO emphasized that the cost-free provision of medicines will continue beyond the pilot phase. Efforts are underway to develop the platform’s sustainability over the long term, ensuring enduring access to essential cancer medications for children in need.

A Hopeful Future for Children Worldwide

This landmark initiative represents a significant step toward reducing global disparities in childhood cancer outcomes. By ensuring an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured medicines, the WHO and its partners are working to give children everywhere a fighting chance against cancer.