Advancing Access to Immunotherapy in Pediatric Oncology in Armenia Through ACT for Children – Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center

Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center, MOH of Armenia, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“Within the framework of the ACT for Children initiative, Armenia will be provided with high-cost immunotherapeutic medications.

The Yeolyan Hematology and Oncology Center and the City of Smile, Charitable Foundation, jointly hosted a delegation visiting Armenia as part of the ACT for Children initiative.

Since 2024, Armenia has been the first partner country to join the ACT for Children initiative, with the objective of advancing pediatric hematology and oncology services and ensuring high-quality care for children with cancer.

Within the framework of the program, Armenia has already received, and will continue to receive, high-cost immunotherapeutic medications.

During the meeting, the Director of the Yeolyan Center, Hayk Grigoryan, emphasized the importance of this collaboration:

‘This partnership unites our shared goal of improving pediatric cancer care services in Armenia, while also underscoring the critical role of international cooperation in saving lives.

This support will significantly contribute to the provision of modern treatment in the field of pediatric oncology in Armenia.’

The Director of the City of Smile Charitable Foundation, Esther Demirchyan, also highlighted the importance of this achievement, noting that the program will make it possible to provide the necessary medications to all children and adolescents receiving treatment in Armenia.

‘Such initiatives are particularly vital for countries like Armenia, where resources are often limited.

This will contribute to improving treatment outcomes and reducing disease recurrence.’

According to the Deputy Director of the Yeolyan Center, Scott Howard, the program’s primary objective from the outset has been to ensure that children with leukemia in Armenia receive the same standard of care as those in Europe, the United States, and other developed countries.

International partners emphasized that this opportunity has been made possible through the collaboration between the ACT for Children initiative, the Yeolyan Center, the City of Smile Foundation, as well as the pharmaceutical companies Amgen and Servier.

Within the framework of the ACT for Children program, efforts extend beyond the provision of innovative, high-quality medications to also include improvements in diagnostic capabilities.

With the support of the program and the involvement of international partners, diagnostic infrastructure is being strengthened, specialists are being trained, and new diagnostic services are being introduced.

Particular emphasis was placed on the Nutrition Program implemented within this framework.

This program ensures continuous monitoring of the daily dietary intake of children in pediatric hematology and oncology departments, with the aim of supporting and enhancing treatment outcomes.”

Harm Veerkamp, Director of Procurement Services and NCDconnect at IDA Foundation, shared this post on LinkedIn, adding:

“Happy that NCDconnect an initiative of IDA Foundation contributes to the treatment of children with ALL and make sure medicines are available.

Our colleague Anastasia Smirnova attended the days with the ACT 4 Children partners and was very impressed.

Thank you for organizing this and let’s progress the good work.”

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