Republic of Moldova receives first shipment of free childhood cancer medicines through global platform supported by St. Jude, WHO, UNICEF and PAHO

The GPACCM is a pioneering initiative launched in 2021 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (USA), in partnership with UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The platform aims to reduce inequalities in childhood cancer care by ensuring a sustainable supply of quality-assured medicines for low- and middle-income countries.

The first shipment, delivered through UNICEF’s procurement mechanism, includes essential medicines used in the treatment of all types of childhood cancers. These medicines will be distributed to the pediatric oncology and hematology departments of the Oncology Institute, ensuring uninterrupted treatment for all children diagnosed with cancer in Moldova.

Since 2018, the Republic of Moldova has been among the countries contributing to the launch of the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, which aims to increase survival rates worldwide. In 2025, Moldova was selected as one of six countries eligible to join the Global Platform, in recognition of its commitment to strengthening childhood cancer control and the progress achieved under the global initiative. The accession agreement was signed on 12 June 2025 by the Ministry of Health and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

Under this agreement, the country will receive regular deliveries of essential, quality-assured medicines at no cost over a five-year period.

During the donation event, Minister of Health Emil Ceban stated: 

“The arrival of this first shipment of medicines for pediatric cancer treatment marks an important milestone in strengthening the capacity of our health system to address complex conditions. In pediatric oncology, time is critical. Any interruption can affect both disease outcomes and families’ trust in our ability to support them. In this context, Moldova’s accession to the Global Platform goes beyond a simple delivery. It introduces a stable supply framework based on international standards of quality, traceability, and monitoring.”

WHO Representative in Moldova, Dr. Miljana Grbic, said: 

“This is a new beginning for the treatment of children diagnosed with cancer in Moldova. WHO is proud to support the Government in implementing the Global Platform at the national level and ensuring uninterrupted access to safe, high-quality medicines. Together, we can build stronger health systems and offer hope to families.”

Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Executive Vice President of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, added: “

The arrival of these medicines in Moldova brings us closer to a future where a child’s chance of survival is not determined by where they live. I would like to thank the Government of Moldova, WHO, UNICEF, and our Global Platform partners for their leadership and collaboration in strengthening care and saving lives. Every step we take together brings more children closer to the care they deserve.”

UNICEF Representative in Moldova, Maha Damaj, noted: 

“UNICEF remains firmly committed to supporting Moldova in ensuring continuous access to essential pediatric medicines for cancer treatment. Through our specialized supply division in Copenhagen, we guarantee transparent, efficient processes aligned with international standards, so that every child facing a cancer diagnosis can receive safe, quality treatment on time. Investing in children’s health is an investment in the country’s future, and UNICEF will continue to be a trusted partner in this effort.”

Director of the Oncology Institute, Ruslan Baltaga, stated: 

“We are honored by the strong partnership with national and international partners, which today materializes through the Global Platform. This is not just a donation—it also contributes to team capacity building, the establishment of logistics groups, and the development and adjustment of standard operating procedures, ensuring traceability and safety from customs to the patient. Importantly, after three years, Moldova will be able to procure medicines directly through the platform.”

Rodica Mîndruța-Stratan, Coordinator of the National Cancer Control Programme, added: 

“The Global Platform is a strategic initiative within the National Cancer Control Programme 2016–2025, aimed at giving children diagnosed with cancer a real chance at life by ensuring access to safe, effective, and quality treatment, while strengthening the sustainability of the national health system and reducing inequalities in pediatric care.”

Natalia Vîlcu-Bajurean, President of the “Life without Leukemia” Association, said: 

“On behalf of the patients we represent, we are truly happy that children in Moldova will now have access to better treatment. From our own experience, we know how difficult it is for families when essential medicines are unavailable. The Global Platform gives us much greater confidence that children treated here at home will have a real chance of recovery, comparable to children in developed countries.”

Additional shipments of essential medicines for childhood cancer treatment are expected to arrive in the coming period.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines was co-founded by WHO and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in 2021 to expand access to life-saving treatments worldwide. It aims to provide quality-assured cancer medicines to approximately 120,000 children in low- and middle-income countries and to increase childhood cancer survival rates to 60% by 2030.

St. Jude has committed USD 200 million over six years to support this initiative.

Each year, around 100 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed in the Republic of Moldova. The five-year survival rate is approximately 60%, which reflects progress but remains below the over 80% survival rate in high-income countries. In 2025, 92 children were diagnosed with cancer in Moldova, with acute leukemia being the most common, followed by brain tumors.

About the Global Platform

The Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (Global Platform) was conceived in 2021 by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and WHO, which jointly developed the initiative to complement the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, in collaboration with UNICEF and the Pan American Health Organization Strategic Fund as procurement agents. The Global Platform aims to provide an uninterrupted supply of quality-assured cancer medicines to approximately 120 000 children in low- and middle-income countries in the next five to seven years, with the expectation of scaling up supplies in future years. The Global Platform provides end-to-end support in consolidating global demand to shape the market, and assists countries with the selection of medicines, development of treatment standards, and the building of information systems to track that effective care is being provided.

At present, the Global Platform is working with 12 participating countries: Ecuador, El Salvador, Ghana, Jordan, Moldova, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, and Zambia.