Pakistan, June 13 -- Pakistan has been selected to join a global initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO) and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital that will provide free, essential cancer medicines for children starting this year, the country's health ministry said on Thursday.

The program, known as the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines, aims to improve survival rates among children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries by ensuring reliable and equitable access to life-saving drugs.

"It is a matter of pride that Pakistan has been selected for this program in 2025," Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said in the statement. "This is a major milestone in ensuring free cancer medicines for c...