Ziroat Mirziyoyeva to lead new Global Network for children with severe illnesses

Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, vice president of the US-based St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and director of St. Jude Global, announced a Global Network to support children with severe and life-threatening illnesses. It was launched at the summit “Investing in Child Well-being” in Samarkand.

Ziroat Mirziyoyeva, Uzbekistan's first lady and chair of the board of the Zamin international public foundation, will lead the network for two years. It brings together first ladies and spouses of heads of state on child health, aiming to expand international cooperation, share experience and information, and promote practical initiatives.

The appointment recognises results Uzbekistan has achieved in pediatric oncology, which the source links to reforms under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev in specialised care, diagnostics, treatment and access to medicines. The network's next meeting is planned for May 2027 in Geneva or September 2027 in New York.