State-of-the-Art Pharmacy Enhances Pediatric Cancer Care in Uganda Through Global HOPE and Lions Clubs International Foundation Partnership

Oak Brook, Illinois--(Newsfile Corp. - September 17, 2025) - Every year, over 100,000 children in sub-Saharan Africa are diagnosed with cancer, yet far too many face an uphill battle to survive the disease due to critical gaps in infrastructure, financial constraints and delays in treatment. In a transformative initiative aimed at improving childhood cancer care in Uganda, the Ministry of Health of Uganda and Texas Children's Global HOPE (Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Excellence) program, in partnership with Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), unveiled a state-of-the-art pharmacy at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala.

The new pharmacy features one of Uganda's first chemotherapy clean rooms, with advanced air and temperature controls, ensuring the drugs prepared are safe, sterile and effective before they get to the patient. A biological safety cabinet further protects both the quality of the chemotherapy drugs and the healthcare workers who prepare them, protecting against toxic exposure.

"This new facility has truly transformed the way we prepare chemotherapy and strengthens Mulago's ability to deliver highly specialized medical services," said Dr. Rosemary Byanyima, the Executive Director of Mulago National Referral Hospital.

The opening was celebrated during a special ceremony officiated by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Diana Atwine, LCIF, District 411B Lion leaders, executive leadership of Mulago National Referral Hospital, and Texas Children's Global HOPE.

2024-2025 LCIF Chairperson Dr. Patti Hill shared her gratitude for the collaboration and the impact it brings to people in need. "Thank you to our friends at Texas Children's Hospital, the healthcare staff at Mulago National Referral Hospital, and the Lions in the region who are helping bring awareness to resources like these that are available to families who face immense challenges upon learning their child has cancer," she said.

"I know we will continue to work together to help those children most in need. Through our shared vision to expand treatment availability, enhance medical technology, and train more providers, we will continue to improve survival rates," she added.

This milestone underscores the importance of September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month by highlighting the urgent need for improved access to treatment and support. LCIF is actively involved in the fight against childhood cancer through various initiatives and partnerships aimed at improving outcomes for children and their families.

LCIF has partnered with Texas Children's Global HOPE since 2019. Through this partnership, Global HOPE has supported the treatment of nearly 23,000 children, trained over 6,700 healthcare workers and created three state-of-the-art chemotherapy pharmacies. Efforts have led to thousands of children cured from cancer in Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. Lions in these countries are involved in supporting community-based initiatives with focus on psychosocial support for children and families during cancer treatment and creating grassroots awareness of childhood cancer.

To learn more about the LCIF-Global HOPE partnership, visit: https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/give-our-focus-areas/childhood-cancer/lcif-and-global-hope

About Lions Clubs International Foundation

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is the global foundation supporting the 1.4 million members of Lions Clubs International through grant funds that expand their compassionate works and empower their service at home and around the world. Since its founding in 1968, LCIF has awarded nearly 24,000 grants totaling more than US$1.3 billion. We improve health and well-being, strengthen communities and support those in need, locally and globally. Learn more about who we are and what we do at lionsclubs.org/lcif and follow us on Facebook at @LCIFLions.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/266864