Memorandum of Understanding signed with El Salvador to improve access to essential cancer medicines

UICC is thrilled to announce that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between UICC and the Ministry of Health of El Salvador on behalf of the Access to Oncology Medicines (ATOM) Coalition.

The first MoU for the UICC-led ATOM Coalition was signed in February 2024 with Mongolia. This second MoU promises to enhance the availability of quality-assured oncology medicines in El Salvador.

With a population of over 6.5 million people, El Salvador reports over 9,600 new cancer cases annually – primarily prostrate and breast cancer. This collaboration between the El Salvador Ministry of Health, the ATOM Coalition, and UICC members and partners marks a major step towards implementing the country’s national cancer control plan. 

“It’s tragic when a medicine exists to treat a cancer but is unavailable to a patient who needs it because of where they live. This Memorandum of Understanding means that now more people in El Salvador will be able to receive appropriate cancer treatment. It means that lives will be saved.”
– Dr Dan Milner, Executive Director of the ATOM coalition.

The ATOM Coalition was launched by UICC in May 2022, and now counts over 40 partners across private and civil society sectors. Its objective is to improve availability, affordability and access to essential cancer medicines in 46 low- and lower middle-income countries.