Malaria medicine for young childrenImage Credit Source: Getty Images

Millia kills millions of people every year, and the most affects on young children. But now a relief news has come out. For the first time in the world, malaria medicine made for newborn and young children (weighing less than 4.5 kg) has been approved. This drug will be made available in African countries in the coming few weeks, where the risk of malaria is the highest. Till now the medicine for malaria was for the elders. He was given to the children, due to which there was a problem with the dose in some cases. But now such a medicine has been made for special children and will protect against Meliria.

Malaria is an infectious disease. Which spreads through mosquito bites. The disease is mainly caused by bites of female anopheles mosquito. Now to protect children from this disease, the pharmaceutical company Novartis has created a new medicine, called COartem Baby (in some countries it will also be called Riamet Baby). It has been approved by the Health Agency of Switzerland. This drug will be made available in poor and needy countries on the model without making non-profit.

African countries will get the first benefit

8 African countries took part in the trial and testing of this medicine and now these countries will be able to use it first. According to the data, there were about 5.97 lakh deaths from malaria in 2023, most of which occurred in Africa and about 75% of deaths occurred in children under 5 years of age. In such a situation, this medicine will help save the lives of those youngest and weak children, whose treatment was not possible till now.

Opinion of scientists and experts

CEO Vas Narasimhan of Novartis said that this is a very important moment for us. We have been working against malaria for three decades. By making this medicine, we want to ensure that even the youngest and needy children can get the right treatment.

MMV (Medicines for Malaria Venture -) CEO Martin Fitchet of the institution said, Malaria is still one of the most deadly diseases in the world, but it can be eliminated. Medications like Coartem Baby will increase treatment options.

Big achievement for public health

This medicine will also be beneficial especially for children, who are in danger more than malaria. Providing this medicine in poor countries without earning profits is a big initiative to bring equality in health services.

Now that the way to save the youngest children from dangerous diseases like malaria has opened, it is a major achievement for medical science and global health. The life of millions of children can be saved from coartem baby and it can prove to be an important step towards eradicating malaria.