WHO Approves First Malaria Treatment for Newborns and Infants
The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced the prequalification of a malaria treatment specifically designed for newborns and infants, marking a major milestone in global child health.
The approval is the first of its kind for this age group, addressing a long-standing gap in malaria care, as most existing treatments have been tailored primarily for older children and adults.
Health experts say infants—especially those under six months—are particularly vulnerable to malaria but have historically lacked safe, approved treatment options due to limited clinical data.
WHO noted that the newly approved medicine meets international standards for quality, safety, and efficacy, allowing it to be procured by United Nations agencies and partner organizations for use in high-burden countries.
The development is expected to strengthen efforts to reduce malaria-related deaths, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease remains a leading cause of mortality among young children.
Public health analysts say the rollout of the treatment could significantly improve survival rates if widely distributed and integrated into national malaria control programmes.
