Four hospitals in Pakistan are preparing to receive free childhood cancer medicines by the end of 2026. The initiative is part of a partnership with the World Health Organization, according to a press release issued on Thursday.
The programme is implemented through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. Its goal is to improve access to life-saving cancer treatment for children. Pakistan records more than 8,000 new childhood cancer cases annually. Many children struggle to access treatment due to high costs and limited resources.
Authorities emphasised that the initiative will allow children to receive essential medicines without financial barriers. Hospitals selected for the programme have been prepared to store and distribute the medicines effectively. This effort aims to reduce child mortality and improve recovery rates nationwide.
How Will Access to Quality-Assured Medicines Be Ensured?
The programme focuses on strengthening treatment availability by supplying quality-assured medicines to public health facilities. Doctors and healthcare workers are receiving training to ensure proper medicine administration and patient follow-up.
The World Health Organization will provide technical guidance, monitor progress, and support hospitals in managing medicine supplies. Families will also be educated about safe access to treatment. These steps aim to make the treatment process faster and more patient-friendly.
Officials hope that quality-assured medicine availability will reduce delays in care and provide consistent treatment for children diagnosed with cancer. Hospitals will also maintain records to track medicine usage and treatment outcomes.
When Will More Hospitals Gain Access to Free Cancer Medicines?
Authorities confirmed that seven additional treatment centres are expected to be ready to receive medicine supplies in 2027. This expansion will increase access to childhood cancer care across more regions of Pakistan.
The government aims to create a nationwide network of hospitals capable of providing free, high-quality cancer treatment for children. This network will reduce travel burdens on families and improve survival rates for young patients.
Healthcare experts have welcomed the initiative as a major step toward addressing a long-standing public health challenge. They noted that free, reliable access to childhood cancer medicines has been limited in Pakistan.
The collaboration with the World Health Organization shows the impact of international partnerships in improving healthcare access. Authorities said they are committed to further expanding free medicine programmes for children in the coming years.
