First-ever malaria treatment for infants approved by WHO

2 min read May 2, 2026 05:05 PM IST WHO said the newly prequalified formulation provides an age-appropriate option (AP Photo) For decades, doctors treating malaria in newborns have relied on scaled-down doses of medicines meant for older children, with no formulation designed for even younger patients. That gap has now closed, with the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalifying the first malaria treatment developed specifically for infants weighing between 2 and 5 kg. The treatment, a formulation of artemether-lumefantrine ( common brand name: Coartem), allows governments and public health agencies to procure a quality-assured drug tailored to babies and young infants. The WHO, in its statement, said the move will expand access to safer, more accurate treatment for a group that has remained underserved in malaria care. Treatment gap for infants Infants with malaria have so far received adjusted doses of medicines designed for older children, increasing the risk of errors and side effects. The WHO said the newly prequalified formulation provides an age-appropriate option and addresses safety concerns. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said a combination of vaccines, diagnostics and improved treatments is strengthening the global malaria response. New diagnostic tests The WHO has also prequalified three rapid diagnostic tests to tackle emerging detection challenges. Most existing tests identify the HRP2 protein in Plasmodium falciparum, but some parasite strains no longer produce this protein, leading to missed cases. The new tests detect an alternative protein, pf-LDH, which the WHO said improves accuracy where HRP2-based tests fail. The agency recommends countries switch when more than 5% of infections go undetected due to such mutations. Global burden Malaria caused an estimated 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths in 2024, according to World Malaria Report 2025. Children under five account for a majority of deaths, largely in Africa. Story continues below this ad WHO said global progress has slowed due to drug and insecticide resistance, diagnostic gaps and declining international funding, despite major gains since 2000, including billions of infections prevented. The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd Tags: babies infants malaria WHO