The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has welcomed the approval of the first-ever malaria treatment specifically designed for newborns and infants, calling it a “major advance” in protecting the continent’s most vulnerable children.
The new medicine, Coartem Baby, is formulated for infants weighing less than five kilograms. Until now, babies were treated with adjusted doses of medicines intended for older children, a method that carried serious risks of overdose and toxicity. With this dedicated treatment, Africa CDC emphasizes that even the tiniest patients can now receive safe and effective care.
Developed through a partnership between Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis and the nonprofit Medicines for Malaria Venture, Coartem Baby received approval from Swiss regulators in July 2025. Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya hailed the milestone as “a major step forward in the fight against malaria,” ensuring that newborns and infants have access to life-saving treatment.
The medicine was trialed in eight African countries Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda. Africa CDC praised these countries for their leadership, highlighting Africa’s increasing role in health innovation. The treatment is expected to be rolled out in these nations within weeks, with coordinated efforts to ensure every child in need can access it.
Malaria remains one of Africa’s deadliest diseases. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 597,000 people died from malaria globally in 2023, with almost all fatalities occurring on the continent. Alarmingly, children under five accounted for approximately 76% of these deaths, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions like Coartem Baby.
The introduction of Coartem Baby represents more than a medical achievement it signals hope for reducing infant mortality and improving child health across Africa. As governments, healthcare providers, and communities work together to distribute the treatment widely, this innovation could mark a turning point in the fight against malaria.
Africa CDC’s announcement underscores the importance of continued investment, research, and collaboration to protect Africa’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens, ensuring that no child suffers needlessly from a preventable and treatable disease.