Geneva/Memphis – 11 February 2025
“A child’s chances of surviving cancer are largely determined by where they are born, making this one of the starkest disparities in global healthcare,”
The World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have officially commenced the groundbreaking international distribution of childhood cancer medicines. Through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, deliveries have begun in Mongolia and Uzbekistan, with future shipments planned for Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal, and Zambia. This initiative is expected to benefit approximately 5,000 children with cancer across at least 30 hospitals this year.
This global platform represents a pioneering effort to ensure an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines at no cost to pilot countries. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), childhood cancer survival rates often fall below 30%, a stark contrast to the significantly higher survival rates in high-income nations. WHO and St. Jude have extended formal invitations to six additional countries to join this initiative, marking a crucial step in expanding the program’s reach.
2024 St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc.
Patients and their parents at Baca Ortiz Paediatric Hospital in anticipation of the medicines delivered via the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. In Quito, Ecuador.
The long-term goal of the initiative is to extend its reach to 50 countries within the next five to seven years. By doing so, the platform aims to provide essential cancer medicines to approximately 120,000 children in LMICs, significantly reducing mortality rates.
“For too long, children with cancer have lacked access to life-saving medicines,” stated Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This unique partnership between WHO and St. Jude is working to provide quality-assured cancer medicines to pediatric hospitals in low- and middle-income countries. WHO is proud to be part of this joint initiative with St. Jude, bringing health and hope to children around the world.”
Each year, an estimated 400,000 children worldwide are diagnosed with cancer. However, children in resource-limited settings face severe challenges in accessing affordable and consistent treatment. Tragically, 70% of children in these regions die due to a lack of appropriate treatment, treatment disruptions, or the use of low-quality medicines.
“A child’s chances of surviving cancer are largely determined by where they are born, making this one of the starkest disparities in global healthcare,” noted James R. Downing, MD, President and CEO of St. Jude. “St. Jude was founded on Danny Thomas’ dream that no child should die in the dawn of life. By developing this platform, we believe this dream can someday be achieved for children stricken by cancer, irrespective of where they live.”
First announced in 2021, the WHO-St. Jude partnership aims to ensure that children worldwide have access to lifesaving treatments. The initiative brings together governments, pharmaceutical companies, and non-governmental organizations in a unique, collaborative approach designed to develop sustainable solutions for childhood cancer treatment.
The platform provides comprehensive end-to-end support, from consolidating global demand to shaping the market, assisting countries with medicine selection, and developing treatment standards. This innovative model is set to transform global health approaches, particularly for pediatric care and noncommunicable diseases. To facilitate these efforts, WHO and St. Jude collaborate with key partners such as UNICEF’s Supply Division and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Strategic Fund.
With this historic initiative now in motion, thousands of children in LMICs stand to benefit from improved access to essential cancer medicines, offering them a renewed chance at life and health.
