Zambia has been chosen by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a flagship country under the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, making it the only African nation among six worldwide to benefit from a global platform providing childhood cancer medicines.
Health Minister Elijah Muchima announced the selection during the commissioning of an expanded pharmaceutical storeroom at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka.
The new facility – 10 times larger in storage capacity – would ensure the safe and efficient stockpiling of life-saving cancer medicines for up to three months.
In March 2025, Zambia received its first consignment of childhood cancer medicines through the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, an initiative led by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in partnership with WHO, UNICEF and PAHO.
Muchima noted that this partnership reinforces Zambia’s commitment to ensuring no child dies due to lack of essential cancer treatment.
The Global Platform has pledged over $5 million in medicines to Zambia over the next five years as part of a broader $200 million global investment aimed at supporting childhood cancer treatment in 50 countries.
The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, launched by the WHO in 2018, aims to improve survival rates for children with cancer worldwide.
Its goal is to achieve at least 60 percent survival for children with cancer by 2030 while also reducing suffering and enhancing the quality of care.
The initiative works by strengthening healthcare systems, improving access to essential medicines and prioritising childhood cancer treatment at national and global levels.
The announcement came as the US said it was halting $50 million in annual health funding to Zambia due to alleged systemic theft of donated medicines.
The announcement, made by US Ambassador to Zambia Michael Gonzales last week, cited widespread misappropriation of medical supplies intended for public distribution since 2021.
Among the stolen medicines were antiretroviral drugs crucial for HIV treatment.
JN/APA