WHO and St. Jude Launch Global Initiative to Expand Childhood Cancer Treatment

A groundbreaking initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is set to transform childhood cancer treatment worldwide. Through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, life-saving cancer drugs are now reaching low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) at no cost, aiming to bridge the healthcare gap and reduce mortality rates.

The first deliveries have reached Mongolia and Uzbekistan, with Ecuador, Jordan, Nepal, and Zambia next in line. By the end of 2025, an estimated 5,000 children across 30+ hospitals will receive critical cancer medications.

Addressing the Stark Reality of Pediatric Cancer Inequality

Each year, approximately 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer, but their chances of survival vary drastically depending on where they live. While survival rates in high-income countries exceed 80%, they drop to below 30% in LMICs due to:

• Limited access to essential cancer medications
• Disruptions in treatment availability
• Low-quality or unaffordable medicines

“A child’s chances of surviving cancer are largely determined by where they are born,” said Dr. James R. Downing, CEO of St. Jude

How the Global Platform by WHO and St. Jude Works

• Uninterrupted drug supply: Countries receive quality-assured cancer medicines at no cost
• Strategic partnerships: Collaboration with governments, pharmaceutical companies, NGOs, and healthcare systems
• Sustainable solutions: Training, capacity building, and long-term treatment strategies

By expanding to 50 nations over the next 5-7 years, this platform aims to provide treatment for 120,000 children, drastically reducing mortality rates and setting a new standard for global pediatric oncology.

A Vision for the Future

“For too long, children with cancer have lacked access to life-saving medicines. This partnership is changing that reality.” – Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General.

With support from UNICEF and PAHO, this initiative represents a landmark shift in global health, proving that every child, regardless of location, deserves a fighting chance against cancer.

More Information: The World Health Organization