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The Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Jordan celebrated today, Tuesday, the announcement of Jordan’s accession to the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (Global Platform) as the first country in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
During the signing of the agreement with Dr. Jamila Al-Raabi, WHO representative in Jordan, Health Minister Dr. Firas Al-Hawari emphasized the importance of Jordan’s participation in this initiative. He stated, “Today marks another victory for Jordan and its health system. With this agreement, Jordan becomes one of the first six countries to join the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines.”
Dr. Al-Hawari highlighted that Jordan’s inclusion in the platform will significantly improve access to essential medicines for approximately 500 children diagnosed with cancer each year in Jordan, ensuring no child is left behind in receiving treatment.
Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Executive Vice President at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Co-Chair of the Global Platform Steering Committee, expressed his excitement about working with Jordan. “It is critical to ensure that cancer patients in Jordan receive quality care through this pioneering initiative,” he said.
Dr. Jamila Al-Raabi emphasized Jordan’s commitment to enhancing access to high-quality childhood cancer medicines through its partnership with WHO. She added that this collaboration reflects the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Health and WHO to strengthen Jordan’s health system and ensure efficient supply chain management.
Launched in 2021 as part of the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, the platform, led by WHO and St. Jude, aims to ensure a continuous supply of high-quality cancer medicines to low- and middle-income countries. Jordan is set to receive these medicines at no cost for the next five years, with the first shipment expected in early 2025.
The medicines will be distributed in Jordan’s main pediatric cancer centers: the King Hussein Cancer Center, the Royal Medical Services, and King Abdullah University Hospital. The local partners will work together to create an implementation plan to ensure the safe and effective distribution of these medicines.
The Global Platform is designed to support the treatment of about 120,000 children in low- and middle-income countries between 2022 and 2027. The platform will unify global demand, assist countries in selecting medicines, set treatment standards, and establish systems to track the care provided.
Source: Official website of the Ministry of Health, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
