ISLAMABAD, 29 July 2025 – Pakistan has joined the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, ensuring free, quality-assured cancer treatment for more than 8,000 children diagnosed annually.
By joining the platform—launched by WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2021—Pakistan becomes the second country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region to participate. The agreement aims to raise childhood cancer survival rates from 30% to 60% by 2030, significantly improving outcomes for children who previously faced limited treatment access.
Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal and WHO Representative Dr. Dapeng Luo signed the agreement, which will remain effective until 31 December 2027, with a provision for extension. UNICEF will manage the procurement and delivery of cancer medicines.
WHO will also assist the Ministry of Health and provincial authorities by providing technical expertise, training, and operational support to build a stronger pediatric cancer care system.
Globally, nearly 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer every year. About 90% live in low- and middle-income countries, where survival rates are often below 30% due to lack of access to timely and effective treatment.