In a groundbreaking development, the first malaria treatment specifically designed for babies and newborns has been approved for use and is set to roll out in Africa in a few weeks. Until now, infants under 4.5kg had to rely on drugs meant for older children—raising serious overdose risks. The new drug, Coartem Baby, developed by Novartis and Medicines for Malaria Venture, fills a long-standing treatment gap for the youngest and most vulnerable. With nearly 600,000 malaria deaths recorded in 2023—three-quarters of them children under five—this approval marks a major step in global health equity. Experts hail it as a lifesaving breakthrough with the potential to transform outcomes in malaria-stricken regions.
BBC
