A major breakthrough has been recorded in the fight against malaria as the World Health Organization approves the first-ever treatment specifically designed for infants.
The newly approved drug, Artemether-lumefantrine, is tailored for newborns and babies — marking a huge shift from previous treatments meant for older children.
Until now, infants were given adjusted doses of adult or child medications, increasing the risk of side effects and dosage errors.
WHO says the new treatment meets global standards for safety, quality, and effectiveness, giving hope to millions of vulnerable children.
According to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, this is a turning point:
“Ending malaria is no longer just a dream… it’s possible.”
Malaria remains one of the deadliest diseases globally, with over 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths recorded in 2024 — most of them in Africa and among children under five.
Health experts say this approval could help close a critical treatment gap, especially for the nearly 30 million babies born yearly in malaria-prone regions.
Despite challenges like drug resistance and reduced global funding, this development is being seen as a major step toward defeating malaria.
