The Pediatric Cancer Convergence
Bridging Policy, Care, and Lived Experience
Convened by the Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative (ICCI)
A national platform to accelerate equitable childhood cancer care
National Stakeholder Workshop on Childhood Cancer
The National Stakeholder Workshop on Childhood Cancer, convened by the Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative (ICCI), brought together policymakers, healthcare leaders, government representatives, clinicians, civil society organizations, researchers, survivor advocates, and development partners to strengthen childhood cancer systems in India.
Held under the theme "The Pediatric Cancer Convergence: Bridging Policy, Care, and Lived Experience," the workshop served as a national platform to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge, and accelerate progress towards equitable childhood cancer care across the country.
Building on the World Health Organization's Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (WHO-GICC), the workshop focused on translating policy into practice through integrated state ecosystems, health systems strengthening, and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
About ICCI
The Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative (ICCI) is India's national multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to improving childhood cancer outcomes through coordinated action, policy engagement, research, and collaboration.
Launched in March 2023, ICCI brings together more than 250 members representing 80+ hospitals, 30+ civil society organizations, government institutions, international agencies, healthcare professionals, researchers, and people with lived experience.
Together, ICCI is working to strengthen childhood cancer systems of care and support India's journey towards a National Childhood Cancer Programme.
What the workshop set out to achieve
Strengthen collaboration between government, healthcare institutions, civil society, and development partners.
Showcase innovative state models and health system approaches for childhood cancer care.
Discuss financing, access to care, referral pathways, and shared care models.
Identify priorities for strengthening state ecosystems and advancing a National Childhood Cancer Programme.
Promote knowledge exchange and collaborative action across India's childhood cancer community.
Who came together in the room
Chief Guest AddressDr. V. K. Paul
Former Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India, and Former Head, Department of Pediatrics, AIIMS, New Delhi.
Ministry of Health & Family WelfareDr. L. Swasticharan
Deputy Director General, Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
State Health LeadershipDr. Amit Kumar Ghosh, IAS
Additional Chief Secretary, Medical Health, Family Welfare & Medical Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh. A senior IAS officer leading public health policy, healthcare delivery, and medical education in Uttar Pradesh, he contributed valuable perspectives on strengthening state health systems and advancing childhood cancer care.
Global Health LeadershipBishnu (Vishnu) Giri
Technical Officer – Cancer Control, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (WHO SEARO), contributing regional perspectives on strengthening childhood cancer systems and implementation of the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC).
National & Global AgenciesRepresentatives from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, NHA, NHSRC, ICMR, NITI Aayog, WHO, St. Jude Global, GRID Council, UNICEF, and other national and international technical partners.
State Governments & Community ExpertsRepresentatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, alongside pediatric oncology experts, healthcare professionals, civil society organizations, childhood cancer survivors, and patient advocates.
Four panels shaping India's childhood cancer roadmap
Optimizing Care Pathways: Strengthening Centres of Excellence and Referral Networks
Focused on improving referral systems, hub-and-spoke models, and strengthening access through coordinated care pathways.
Sustainable Investment: Expanding Universal Health Coverage for Childhood Cancer
Explored innovative financing mechanisms, financial protection, and strategies to strengthen Universal Health Coverage for children with cancer.
The National Roadmap: Towards a Unified Pediatric Cancer Policy Framework
Examined national policy priorities, systems strengthening, and collaborative approaches for integrating childhood cancer into public health systems.
From Policy to Practice: Tailoring Pediatric Oncology to Diverse State Ecosystems
Moderated by Ms. Poonam Bagai, Founder Chairman, CanKids KidsCan and ICCI Governing Council Member, this session explored how different Indian states can develop context-specific childhood cancer ecosystems while working towards common national goals.
The discussion highlighted state-led strategies, shared care models, government partnerships, health systems strengthening, financial protection, access to care, and integrated referral ecosystems — drawing on CanKids' evolving 7S Mandala of Care Framework and the concept of Childhood Cancer Divisions (CCDs).
From Policy to Practice: Tailoring Pediatric Oncology to Diverse State Ecosystems
CanKids KidsCan's State Ecosystem Framework
The workshop presentation outlines CanKids KidsCan's proposed framework for strengthening childhood cancer care through integrated state ecosystems.
- The 7S Mandala of Care Framework
- WHO CureAll alignment
- Shared Care (Sajhakaran) model
- Childhood Cancer Divisions (CCDs)
- State Task Forces
- Samanvay Kendras
- State Tumour & Teleconsultation Boards
- District-level early detection & referral
Available Downloads
Moments from the workshop
A selection of photographs capturing key moments from the National Stakeholder Workshop, including panel discussions, stakeholder interactions, technical sessions, and collaborative exchanges.
A shared national commitment to childhood cancer care
The National Stakeholder Workshop reaffirmed a shared national commitment to strengthening childhood cancer care through partnership, policy, evidence, and innovation. As ICCI continues to bring together diverse stakeholders, the discussions and recommendations emerging from the workshop will contribute towards building integrated childhood cancer ecosystems that ensure every child, regardless of where they live, has access to timely diagnosis, quality treatment, financial protection, supportive care, and survivorship.