Pakistan signs pact with WHO for free cancer medicines

 
Pakistan on Tuesday signed an agreement with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide free cancer medicines for 8,000 children annually, reports Dawn.

The WHO and the health ministry formalized Pakistan's participation in the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (Global Platform) to "provide quality-assured medicines - free of cost - to children affected by cancer in the country, where over 8,000 new cases are diagnosed annually", said a WHO press release.

The agreement, signed by Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Dapeng Luo at a ceremony in Islamabad, will remain in force until Dec 31, 2027 and "may be extended by written agreement of the parties". In addition to the provision of medicines, WHO will continue to support Pakistan's Ministry of Health and provincial authorities with technical guidance, resources, and operational support to fight childhood cancer.

The agreement aims to increase the survival rate of children fighting with cancer from 30 per cent to 60pc by 2030, the WHO statement highlighted.

"Limited access to treatment is one of the main factors behind the low survival rate in the country, compared to a survival rate of 80pc in higher-income countries," it noted.

In addition to the provision of medicines, WHO will continue to support the health ministry and provincial authorities with technical guidance, resources, and operational support to fight childhood cancer.

"No child affected by cancer should die because of lack of access to treatment, including quality-assured medicines. WHO will work side by side with the Ministry of Health and partners to save lives and leave no child behind, no matter where they live or who they are," the press release quoted Dr Luo as saying. On the occasion, Kamal said: "Today is a big day for Pakistan, because through this agreement, we are going to receive medicines to treat children who have cancer. This is the way forward."

He added: "We are thankful to WHO, the Global Platform, UNICEF, and all partners who have made this possible and give our children access to treatment to fight this disease. If we are able to save one life through this collaboration, we are saving mankind."