The World Health Organization has prequalified the first malaria treatment specifically developed for newborns and young infants, in a move aimed at closing longstanding gaps in care for one of the most vulnerable age groups.

The agency also announced the prequalification of three new rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) on April 14, 2026, designed to improve detection accuracy, particularly in regions where existing testing methods have proven less effective.

The developments were announced ahead of World Malaria Day on April 25, with the WHO describing them as a significant step toward improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment outcomes.

According to the agency, about 30 million babies are born annually in malaria-endemic regions of Africa, many of whom lack access to medicines tailored to their age and weight.

The newly approved medicine, artemether-lumefantrine, is designed for infants weighing between two and five kilograms.

WHO said the prequalification confirms that the treatment meets international standards for quality, safety and efficacy, allowing it to be procured by public health systems.

“Ending malaria in our lifetime is no longer a dream – it is a real possibility, but only with sustained political and financial commitment. Now we can. Now we must,” said WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

WHO said the development addresses a longstanding gap in malaria treatment for infants, who have historically been treated with medicines designed for older children, increasing risks of incorrect dosing and adverse effects.

According to the World Malaria Report 2025, global malaria cases rose to an estimated 282 million in 2024, with about 610,000 deaths recorded, reflecting an increase from the previous year.

WHO said that although 47 countries have been certified malaria-free and 37 reported fewer than 1,000 cases in 2024, overall progress has slowed due to challenges such as drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic gaps and declining international funding. (The Nation)

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