High-Cost Immunotherapeutic Medications to Be Provided to Armenia within the ACT for Children Initiative

The “Yolyan” Hematology and Oncology Center, in collaboration with the City of Smile Charitable Foundation, hosted a delegation visiting Armenia  within the framework of the ACT for Children initiative.

Since 2024, Armenia has been the first partner country to join the international ACT for Children initiative, aimed at advancing pediatric hematology and oncology services and ensuring access to high-quality care for children with cancer. Within this framework, Armenia has already received—and will continue to receive—high-cost immunotherapeutic medications.

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

 “This partnership brings us together around a shared goal—to improve pediatric cancer care in Armenia—while underscoring the vital role of international cooperation in saving lives. This support will significantly expand access to modern treatment for children with cancer in our country.”

Director of the City of Smile Charitable Foundation, Esther Demirchyan, also highlighted the importance of this milestone, noting that the program will enable the provision of essential medications to all children and adolescents undergoing treatment in Armenia:

 “Such initiatives are particularly important for countries like Armenia, where resources are often limited. They contribute to improved treatment outcomes and help reduce relapse rates.”

According to Deputy Director of the Yolyan Center, Scott Howard, the program’s primary objective from the outset has been to ensure that children with leukemia in Armenia receive care of the same standard as 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 Yolyan Center, the City of Smile Foundation, as well as pharmaceutical companies Amgen and Servier.

Within the ACT for Children program, support extends beyond access to innovative, high-quality medications to include strengthening diagnostic capacity. With the involvement of international partners, the program contributes to upgrading diagnostic infrastructure, training healthcare professionals, and introducing new diagnostic services.

Among the implemented initiatives, particular emphasis has been placed on the Nutrition Program, which ensures daily dietary monitoring of children in pediatric hematology and oncology departments, thereby supporting the overall treatment process.