WHO Approves Malaria Treatment for Newborns and Infants

On 24th April 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) granted prequalification approval to artemether-lumefantrine, the first malaria treatment specifically designed for newborns and infants, marking a major milestone in global malaria care.

Key Points

First Infant-Specific Malaria Drug: Artemether-lumefantrine is the first antimalarial medicine specially formulated for newborns and infants, addressing a critical treatment gap.
WHO Prequalification: WHO certification confirms the medicine meets international standards for quality, safety, and efficacy, enabling wider global procurement.
Previous Treatment Risks: Until now, infants were treated using medicines designed for older children, increasing risks of incorrect dosage, toxicity, and side effects.
Target Population: The approval is expected to benefit nearly 30 million babies born annually in malaria-endemic African regions.
Malaria Burden: In 2024, malaria caused an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths globally across 80 countries.
Africa Most Affected: Africa accounts for 95% of global malaria cases and deaths, with children under five contributing nearly 75% of malaria-related deaths.
Challenges to Elimination: WHO highlighted drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failures, and declining foreign aid as key barriers to malaria control.
Global Health Significance: The approval strengthens malaria prevention and treatment efforts alongside vaccines, mosquito nets, and diagnostic tools.