Global and National Context
Childhood cancer was recognized as a global public health priority in 2017 through the World Health Assembly Resolution 70.12. Governments worldwide called on the World Health Organization (WHO) to coordinate action on childhood cancer as part of an integrated non-communicable disease strategy.
In 2018, WHO launched the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) to help countries achieve at least 60% survival by 2030 and reduce suffering—saving an estimated one million additional children. The initiative emphasizes improving access to quality care and raising political priority for childhood cancer at both global and national levels.
To achieve this, WHO developed the CUREALL Strategic Framework, supported by key partners such as:
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (first WHO Collaborating Centre on Childhood Cancer).
- International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP).
- Regional and national pediatric oncology networks.
India accounts for 10–15% of global childhood cancer cases, making progress within the country essential to global outcomes. With a rapidly expanding pediatric oncology workforce and strong civil society partners, India has the capability to significantly reduce childhood cancer mortality. Engagement with the Government of India and alignment with national cancer control programs remains a critical priority.
Evolution of ICCI
The Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative (ICCI) emerged from a national stakeholder meeting held on June 24, 2019, in New Delhi. Participants included:
- Pediatric Hematology Oncology (PHO) Chapter of IAP.
- Indian Pediatric Oncology Group (InPOG).
- Civil society partners (CanKids Kidscan).
- Experts from St. Jude Global and SIOP.
Stakeholders at the meeting on June 24, 2019 in New Delhi
The meeting aligned India’s efforts with the WHO GICC and identified priority focus areas for strengthening childhood cancer care. These areas evolved into ICCI’s Taskforces, covering:
- Data & Registry.
- Access to Care Networks and Referral Pathways.
- Workforce Development & Training.
- Protocols & Clinical Trials.
- Drugs & Diagnostics.
- Supportive Care.
- Financing & Policy.
- Information, Awareness & Community Engagement.
- Continuum of Care – including palliative care and survivorship.
Further refinement happened during PHOCON and PHOSSCON 2019 (Varanasi), where experts and parent groups participated in workshops to identify challenges, responsible stakeholders, and potential solutions.
In October 2019, discussions with the WHO Childhood Cancer team at the SIOP Annual Congress (Lyon, France) explored formal engagement with the Government of India to prioritize childhood cancer within the national health agenda.
Two workshops held to sensitize and create awareness on WHO GICC in September 2019.
WHO Childhood Cancer representative, Dr Andre Ilbawi with representatives from India at SIOP Annual Congress in Lyon.
Launch of ICCI
ICCI was officially launched in March 2023 during a two-day national workshop in New Delhi. The platform formalized collaboration between:
- The Government of India (Central & State).
- Pediatric oncology community.
- Civil society organizations.
- International partners (WHO, SIOP, St. Jude Global, ICMR-NCDIR).
The Shared Goal
To work toward a National Childhood Cancer Plan and Policy for India, aligned with WHO GICC’s CUREALL strategy and integrated into national cancer control efforts.
In September 2023, the second stakeholder workshop—held in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), WHO India, WHO SEARO, and ICMR—further strengthened this alignment. The workshop sensitized national leaders on the importance of childhood cancer and initiated the process of developing the National Plan for Childhood Cancer.