Pakistan Joins Global Effort to Improve Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines

Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) is proud to be part of a groundbreaking global initiative that aims to improve access to life-saving chemotherapy for children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries. The initiative, known as the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (GPACCM), is led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the PAHO Strategic Fund.

Through this partnership, 5 centers including IHHN Korangi campus, IHHN managed Pediatric Oncology unit in Sheikh Khalifah Bin Zayyed Hospital, Quetta, Children Hospital in Lahore and PIMS Hospital’s Pediatric Hematology and Oncology department will receive essential pediatric cancer medications free of cost in the first phase. More than just medicine provision, the program is designed to enhance the entire supply chain required for effective cancer care—from safe storage and dispensing to trained administration and logistics support.

A high-level meeting was convened by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Government of Pakistan, to initiate the groundwork for implementing the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (GPACCM) in the country. A delegation from the GPACCM participated in this visit and held a series of encouraging discussions with key national stakeholders. Notably, the delegation met with the Federal Minister for National Health Services, Mr. Syed Mustafa Kamal, and the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, both of whom expressed strong support and a firm commitment to the initiative, recognizing its potential to significantly advance pediatric cancer care in Pakistan. The platform was also welcomed with great enthusiasm by provincial health departments and healthcare providers, all aligned in their shared vision to improve outcomes for children battling cancer.

Representing IHHN at these high-level discussions were Dr. Syed Ahmer Hamid, Dr. Rafie Raza, and Dr. Ghulam Qadir Pathan, all senior pediatric oncologists who have been instrumental in advancing childhood cancer care in Pakistan. Their participation reflects IHHN’s dedication to aligning with global standards and strengthening local capacity to fight childhood cancer.

The GPACCM initiative is a critical step forward in addressing the burden of childhood cancer in Pakistan. By ensuring the consistent availability of high-quality chemotherapy drugs and building technical and logistical capacity within hospitals, the platform will help improve outcomes for countless young patients.

A joint team from WHO, the Federal Government, and the Provincial Health Departments will visit these centers in August to assess their facilities and ensure compliance with the required baseline standards.

IHHN remains committed to its mission of providing quality, free-of-cost healthcare for all, and views this partnership as a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to offer hope and healing to children fighting cancer.