Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, EVP and Chair, Department of Global Pediatric Medicine at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Yesterday marked a pivotal moment for global health with the adoption of the Political Declaration on Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health. In a time when the world faces profound strain and uncertainty, this commitment is both essential and welcomed.
Crucially, for the first time, the global community has explicitly recognized the urgent and inequitable burden faced by children living with cancer, sickle cell disease, and other catastrophic conditions. This milestone affirms our fundamental shared moral imperative: no child should die in the dawn of life.
At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, this Declaration fundamentally affirms the purpose that drives our work. Our recent efforts during United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) were guided by the voices of survivors and leaders, focusing on the need for coordinated, child-centered action. Seeing those priorities reflected here is profoundly meaningful. Adoption is only the start. Turning this global consensus into lasting impact requires sustained action across health systems.
Just last week, we welcomed the St. Jude Global Alliance Convening bringing together a diverse group of experts and stakeholders to focus on translating commitment into strategic action: strengthening care, building local capacity, and advancing equity. We must ensure children and families are reached where they live, learn, and grow.
With renewed urgency and clear resolve, we must sustain this momentum by fully recommitting to the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer and accelerating strategic momentum for sickle cell disease and other childhood catastrophic conditions.
This decisive action is how shared international resolve becomes meaningful, lasting change for children everywhere.”
More posts featuring Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo on OncoDaily.
