Each year, nearly 400,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide, and majority in low and middle income countries, where access to life saving medicines remains limited. Through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, partners including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, WHO, UNICEF, and PAHO are working to ensure a reliable supply of essential cancer medicines across 50 countries.
As part of the programme’s assessment, teams from St. Jude and WHO recently visited Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, reviewing systems from chemotherapy storage to safe delivery.
On this occasion, Dr. Asum Begaumi, Regional Hub Director – Eastern Mediterranean Region at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, said: “We are looking at system improvements, from the arrival of chemotherapy to the patient, so that all partners follow a minimum set of standards. Many institutions like Shaukat Khanum are already there and beyond.”
In July 2025, Pakistan officially joined the Global Platform, an important step forward so that more facilities can participate. Thank you to all the stakeholders for facilitating this programme and supporting stronger childhood cancer care in Pakistan.
