Pakistan has officially joined the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, becoming the second country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to take part in this initiative. The program, co-founded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, aims to improve access to quality-assured cancer medications for children in low- and middle-income countries. The goal is to increase the survival rate of children with cancer in Pakistan from 30% to 60% by 2030.
Each year, more than 8,000 new childhood cancer cases are diagnosed in Pakistan, where limited access to affordable and effective treatment contributes to the low survival rate. In contrast, high-income countries report childhood cancer survival rates of about 80%. The agreement with WHO will ensure the uninterrupted provision of free cancer medicines to Pakistani children through the support of the Global Platform.
The program involves collaboration with UNICEF, which will manage the procurement and delivery of the medications to Pakistan. Beyond medicine supply, WHO will assist Pakistan’s Ministry of Health and provincial health departments with technical advice, operational support, and additional resources aimed at strengthening the country’s childhood cancer care infrastructure.
The agreement, signed on July 29, 2025, by Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and WHO Representative Dr. Dapeng Luo, will remain active until December 31, 2027, with the potential for extension. Globally, around 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer annually, with nearly 90% living in low- and middle-income countries, where survival rates remain critically low. Pakistan’s participation in the Global Platform marks a significant step toward improving pediatric cancer outcomes nationwide.
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