WHO Launches Free Cancer Medicine Platform to Save Thousands of Children in Poor Countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative to provide free cancer medicines to children in low- and middle-income countries, aiming to bridge the gap in survival rates between wealthy and resource-limited nations.

The first shipments of life-saving medicines have already been delivered to Mongolia and Uzbekistan, with additional supplies set to reach Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal, and Zambia in the coming months. This marks the pilot phase of the ambitious project, which is expected to benefit around 5,000 children battling cancer across 30 hospitals in these six countries.

Addressing the Global Cancer Treatment Gap

Currently, childhood cancer survival rates differ drastically across the world. In high-income countries, about 80% of children diagnosed with cancer survive, whereas in many low- and middle-income countries, the survival rate plummets to below 30% due to limited access to essential medicines and quality healthcare.

“For too long, children with cancer have lacked access to life-saving medicines,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated. “This initiative is a major step toward ensuring that no child dies simply because they cannot afford or access treatment.”

The program, which was initially announced in December 2021, is a collaboration between WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. The renowned pediatric treatment and research center has committed $200 million to fund the initiative, ensuring a steady and uninterrupted supply of childhood cancer medicines at no cost.

Expanding Global Reach

WHO has extended invitations to six additional countries to join the platform and hopes to expand to 50 nations within the next five to seven years. By then, the initiative is projected to support the treatment of approximately 120,000 children.

Each year, around 400,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer, with the majority living in low-resource settings. WHO estimates that 70% of children in these regions succumb to cancer due to inadequate treatment, disruptions in care, or substandard medication.

Beyond the pilot phase, WHO has assured that the free provision of cancer medicines will continue, with long-term plans for sustainability. This initiative represents a crucial step in the fight against childhood cancer, offering hope to thousands of families worldwide and reinforcing the global commitment to healthcare equity.