NCDconnect and ACT for Children: Closing the Paediatric Cancer Gap

The Access Cancer Treatment (ACT) for Children initiative is transforming pediatric cancer care in underserved regions by ensuring timely access to life-saving medicines and comprehensive support for young patients.

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), children diagnosed with cancer often face significant barriers to accessing timely and effective treatment. To address these challenges, the Access Cancer Treatment (ACT) for Children initiative was launched as a global partnership aimed at improving care and access for pediatric cancer patients in underserved regions.

A Global Collaboration for Childhood Cancer

ACT for Children brings together leading organizations – including Childhood Cancer International (CCI), the International Society of Paediatric Oncology (SIOP), Resonance, Servier, World Child Cancer, and IDA Foundation/NCDconnect – in collaboration with the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC)-led ATOM Coalition. This collective effort focuses on strengthening the entire childhood cancer care ecosystem, from medicine access to clinical support.

Delivering Life-Saving Medicines

Earlier in 2025, ACT for Children delivered $2.8 million worth of high-quality pediatric oncology medicines to five hospitals:

– Yeolyan Hematology-Oncology Center – Yerevan, Armenia
– Ayúdame a Vivir Foundation’s Child Cancer Center at the Hospital Benjamin Bloom/Centro Medico – San Salvador, El Salvador
– Unidad Nacional de Oncología Pediátrica – Guatemala City, Guatemala
– Dharmais National Cancer Hospital – Jakarta, Indonesia
– Children’s Hospital – Tegucigalpa, Honduras

These deliveries have supported over 1,000 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), including the provision of peg-asparaginase – a vital medicine for ALL treatment – supplied by Servier and distributed by IDA Foundation through NCDconnect’s robust supply chain.

A paediatric oncology patient in the Ayúdame a Vivir hospital in Guatemala.

NCDconnect’s Expertise in Medicine Delivery

NCDconnect, through IDA Foundation, served as the technical and operational lead for medicine delivery and logistics. Their role included:

Ensuring Safety and Compliance: Verifying that all products and facilities met strict import and safety standards.

Maintaining Cold Chain Integrity: Shipping medicines in temperature-controlled packaging (2–8°C) with continuous monitoring to preserve quality.

Streamlining Import Processes: Preparing all necessary documentation for rapid customs clearance.

Coordinating Pre-Cleared Shipments: Working closely with in-country partners to approve documents before dispatch, preventing customs delays and protecting medicine integrity.

Partnering with Logistics Experts: Collaborating with forwarders like Kuehne+Nagel to guarantee strict temperature control, even in challenging climates.

Through this coordinated and expert approach, the ACT for Children initiative has successfully navigated complex regulatory and logistical hurdles, ensuring that life-saving medicines reach children in need—on time, safely, and ready for immediate use at treatment centers.

NCDconnect shared a post on LinkedIn, reflecting to the ACT for Children Initiative:

“1,000+ children. 5 countries. $2.8M in medicines.

A new milestone in the fight for equitable childhood cancer care.
In many low- and middle-income countries, a cancer diagnosis still comes with limited access to treatment. But through ACT for Children, partners like Childhood Cancer International, Servier, International Society of Paediatric Oncology – SIOP, World Child Cancer, and IDA Foundation/NCDconnect are changing that: together.

As the supply chain lead, NCDconnect ensured:

• Cold-chain delivery with 24/7 temp monitoring
• Trusted partners and customs pre-clearance
• Timely, quality-assured handover to hospitals

From Armenia to El Salvador and beyond, this partnership is making a real impact… and expanding soon to Tanzania, Egypt, and more.

Read the full story on our blog.”

Read OncoDaily’s Special Article: “Essential Medicines for Children with Cancer: From Access to Action – A Powerful OncoDaily Virtual Forum”