Uzbekistan is transforming childhood cancer care through sustained reforms and strong international cooperation, ensuring that more children not only survive, but live happily. On International Children’s Day 2026, WHO/Europe highlights how strong political commitment has helped guide the country’s health system on this journey.
Uzbekistan has implemented advanced reforms focused on improving early diagnosis, access to treatment and the quality of care for children living with cancer, with attention to families’ well-being. The country joined the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) and the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, thereby strengthening international cooperation to improve childhood cancer care.
These efforts aim to improve survival rates, expand access to quality-assured medicines and strengthen support systems for children living with cancer and their families.
Every child’s journey matters
As part of these efforts, the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital signed a new 4-year memorandum of understanding in February 2026, during a joint St. Jude–WHO mission to the country. The agreement aims to reinforce the country’s capacity in paediatric oncology, improve clinical practice and expand professional training for health-care specialists.
“Uzbekistan’s progress would’ve been impossible without strong political commitment,” said Dr Elmira Basitkhanova, Uzbekistan’s Adviser to the Minister on Maternal and Child Health Protection. “Improving childhood cancer care means improving the entire system around the child; this includes access to medicines, trained specialists, proper referral systems and continuous support for families. The real change happens when everyone involved understands the purpose of their work, which is to save lives.”
Childhood cancers are often linked to genetic factors and cannot be effectively prevented. However, most can be successfully treated and cured, if diagnosed early and managed properly. This makes well-organized health-care systems and access to quality medicines essential.
Uzbekistan’s approach reflects this understanding. Rather than focusing on isolated interventions, the country has worked to strengthen the full “patient journey”, from improved cancer awareness to early detection, treatment and palliative care, recognizing that comprehensive childhood cancer care must deliver treatment but also focus on the quality of life for children and their families at every stage.
Global partnerships driving progress
International cooperation has played a central role in Uzbekistan’s progress. In 2019, the country joined the GICC, committing to strengthen national capacity and aligning its systems with international standards.
Since then, Uzbekistan has implemented a series of system-level policy actions. These efforts have focused on integrating paediatric oncology and haematology services, strengthening referral pathways, and enhancing diagnostic and treatment capacities. Uzbekistan invested in training health professionals, updating evidence-based treatment protocols and developing national systems for monitoring, granting continuous quality improvement.
A key milestone was reached in 2024, when Uzbekistan joined the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines. This initiative helps countries secure a stable, uninterrupted supply of quality-assured cancer medicines and shape a strong medicine market, addressing one of the most critical barriers to effective treatment globally. Participation in the platform is helping Uzbekistan strengthen procurement systems and ensure that children diagnosed with cancer can receive the medicines they need without delay.
“The idea behind our work is to address the global disparities – so every child in every country can access fast diagnosis, best treatment and quality care. The only way to achieve that is through international collaboration. That is why we partnered with WHO to support the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, which aims to achieve a 60% survival rate for children with cancer by 2030. And we are working towards that goal,” said Dr Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Director of St. Jude Global.
Advancing reforms
To enhance implementation, Uzbekistan strengthened supply chains, storage conditions and regulatory systems. The first shipment of Global Platform medicines arrived in January 2025, and since then 33 essential paediatric oncology medicines have been distributed nationwide. In 2025 alone, more than 1200 children received treatment with these medicines.
“Every child with cancer deserves timely diagnosis, quality treatment and the chance for a healthy future,” said Dr Asheena Khalakdina, WHO Representative in Uzbekistan. The country has demonstrated that strong political commitment and international partnership can translate into real improvements for children and families facing cancer. Along with our partners, WHO is proud to support the Ministry of Health and partners in building systems that will better support children and families across the country for years to come.”
A future built on collaboration and hope
The next phase of implementation will focus on strengthening national capacity and ensuring sustainable services through nationwide trainings, technical support and supervision visits across participating facilities. These efforts will help improve supply chain management, reporting practices and the quality of paediatric oncology care nationwide.
“Uzbekistan’s reforms demonstrate how change is possible when countries combine national leadership with global collaboration. By strengthening health systems, investing in people and ensuring access to essential medicines, the country is building a future where more children can survive cancer and lead healthy lives,” said Dr Vitaly Smelov, Medical Officer at WHO/Europe.
On this International Children’s Day, this progress serves as a reminder: protecting children’s health is both a responsibility and an opportunity — to create systems that deliver care, dignity and hope for every child.