health
WHO approves the first malaria treatment designed for newborns and infants
The World Health Organization (WHO) has approved the first malaria treatment specifically developed for newborns and infants weighing less than five kilograms, one day before the world day against this disease that still causes more than 600,000 deaths annually. The treatment, called artemether-lumefantrine, has been prequalified by the UN health agency, meaning it meets WHO's international standards for quality, safety, and efficacy.
TL;DR
- WHO approves artemether-lumefantrine, the first malaria treatment for newborns and infants under five kilograms.
- The prequalification ensures the treatment meets international standards for quality, safety, and efficacy.
- This new treatment aims to improve access for highly underserved infants, who were previously at higher risk due to dosage issues with older treatments.
- Malaria remains a significant threat, causing over 600,000 deaths annually, with 282 million cases reported in 2024.
- Despite stagnation in global progress, WHO highlights that interventions have saved 14 million lives and averted 2.3 billion infections since 2000.