The World Health Organisation has prequalified the first-ever malaria treatment specifically designed for newborns and young infants, marking a major milestone in efforts to reduce deaths among one of the most vulnerable groups.
The global health body announced that the newly approved medicine, artemether-lumefantrine, is formulated for babies weighing between two and five kilogrammes, addressing a long-standing treatment gap for millions of infants in malaria-endemic regions, particularly in Africa.
The WHO stated that the prequalification means the medicine meets international standards of quality, safety and efficacy, and will enable countries to procure and distribute it through public health systems.
Until now, infants with malaria have largely been treated with drugs intended for older children, a practice experts say increases the risk of incorrect dosing, side effects and toxicity.
WHO noted that about 30 million babies are born annually in malaria-endemic areas of Africa, many of whom have lacked access to appropriately tailored treatment.
Speaking on the development, the Director-General of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the new treatment and other innovations are helping to shift the narrative in the global fight against malaria.
He said, “For centuries, malaria has stolen children from their parents, and health, wealth and hope from communities. But today, the story is changing. Ending malaria in our lifetime is no longer a dream, but only with sustained political and financial commitment.”
In addition to the new treatment, WHO also prequalified three rapid diagnostic tests designed to address emerging challenges in malaria detection.
The organisation explained that many commonly used rapid diagnostic tests detect a protein known as HRP2 produced by the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. However, studies across 46 countries have shown that some strains of the parasite no longer produce this protein, making them undetectable by such tests.
WHO warned that in parts of the Horn of Africa, up to 80 per cent of malaria cases have been missed due to this limitation, leading to delayed treatment, severe illness and preventable deaths.
The newly approved tests detect an alternative protein, pf-LDH, which the parasite cannot easily shed, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy and ensuring timely treatment.
The organisation now recommends that countries switch to these alternative tests when more than five per cent of cases are missed due to HRP2 gene deletions.
The announcement is in line with World Malaria Day, observed annually on April 25, with the 2026 theme, “Driven to End Malaria: Now We Can. Now We Must.”
Despite progress in malaria control, WHO said global efforts are facing setbacks. The World Malaria Report 2025 estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths in 2024, an increase compared to 2023 figures.
The agency attributed the stalled progress to factors such as drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic challenges and declining international funding.
However, it noted that significant gains have been made over the years, with about 2.3 billion infections prevented and 14 million lives saved globally since 2000.
WHO added that 25 countries are currently rolling out malaria vaccines, while next-generation mosquito nets now account for 84 per cent of newly distributed nets, underscoring advances in prevention strategies.
It stressed that sustained investment, innovation and collaboration are critical to achieving a malaria-free future, especially for high-burden countries.