Photo credit: WHO
22 February 2026, Amman, Jordan – On World Childhood Cancer Day, Jordan celebrated a major milestone in childhood cancer care: the first delivery of life-saving medicines supplied through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. This makes Jordan the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and among the first globally, to implement this pioneering initiative.
Ensuring hope for every child
Co-founded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the Global Platform was designed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured childhood cancer medicines for low- and middle-income countries.
In August 2024, the Government of Jordan signed a Letter of Agreement with WHO to launch the Global Platform in the country. Through this partnership, Jordan will receive 46 types of essential, quality-assured medicines, benefiting all children with cancer in the country, including refugees.
A national effort with strong partnerships
Photo credit: WHO
The initiative is led by the Ministry of Health, working closely with national partners including the King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC), the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, Jordanian Royal Medical Services, and King Abdullah University Hospital. Together, these institutions developed a comprehensive plan to ensure safe delivery, quality control and the effective use of the medicines across Jordan’s national health system.
Dr Ibrahim Al-Bdour, Minister of Health, highlighted the significance of the milestone:
“This initiative provides an additional opportunity for all children living in Jordan to access life-saving cancer care. The Government of Jordan has declared free cancer treatment for patients up to the age of 19 years through the King Hussein Cancer Center, effective 1 January 2026. This decision is supported by the anticipated delivery of quality-assured medicines through the Global Platform. The partnership between the Government of Jordan and the Global Platform strengthens our national health system and supports the achievement of universal health coverage.”
Dr Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Executive Vice President of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Co-Chair of the Global Platform Steering Committee, added:
“The Global Platform brings together St. Jude, WHO, UNICEF, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and governments to co-design a better future for children with cancer worldwide. This is a future where all children, wherever they are, receive the gift of hope and can dream of a healthy life. This is also the future for the children of Jordan. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, through its St. Jude Global programme, is honoured to be part of this effort and committed to supporting the Global Platform, joining the government, the health care community and the people of Jordan to ensure that all children with cancer receive the treatment they need.”
Dr Iman Shankiti, WHO Representative to Jordan, said:
“This is a milestone we have been working toward for the past four years. WHO, together with the Global Platform and national stakeholders, has focused on readiness, capacity-building and long-term sustainability to implement this pioneering initiative. Every child in Jordan will now have access to quality-assured cancer medicines at no cost. WHO commends the Ministry of Health for its leadership and the commitment of all partners involved.”
Transforming childhood cancer care
The Global Platform provides end-to-end support, from consolidating global demand to guiding treatment protocols. With approximately 500 new childhood cancer cases diagnosed each year, the initiative is expected to significantly improve treatment access for more than 3000 children currently living with cancer in Jordan.
By placing life-saving medicines within reach, Jordan is turning global commitment into real cures, ensuring that no child with cancer is left behind.
About the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines
Launched in 2021 by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and WHO, the Global Platform complements the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer and works with UNICEF and the PAHO Strategic Fund to ensure efficient procurement.
The initiative aims to provide an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured cancer medicines to approximately 120 000 children in low- and middle-income countries over the next 5–7 years, with plans to scale up in the future. It supports countries in selecting essential medicines, developing treatment standards and building information systems to track patient care.
Currently, the Global Platform is active in 12 countries: Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Jordan, Moldova (Republic of), Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan and Zambia.
