WHO Approves First Malaria Medicine for Babies

Apr 25, 2026, 02:15
A2

WHO Approves First Malaria Medicine for Babies

Introduction

The World Health Organization (WHO) gave a special approval for a new malaria medicine. This medicine is for newborn babies and infants. It is the first time the WHO did this. The decision was on April 24. The medicine is called artemether-lumefantrine.

Main Body

The approval means the medicine is safe and works well. Before, babies got medicine for older children. That was dangerous. It could cause wrong doses and bad side effects. Malaria is a big problem. In 2024, there were 282 million cases and 610,000 deaths. Most cases and deaths are in Africa. Children under five years old are three-quarters of the deaths. Progress is slow because of drug resistance, insecticide resistance, and less money from other countries. This new medicine will help about 30 million babies born each year in Africa. Many countries cannot check medicines well. The WHO program makes sure medicines are good for use around the world. The WHO director said malaria hurt many children. New tools like vaccines and this medicine help. He thinks we can end malaria if we keep working and spending money.

Conclusion

This approval helps protect the youngest children from malaria. It fills a big need. But the WHO says we need more money and better systems to stop malaria completely.

Vocabulary Learning

approval (n.)
okay / a decision that something is good or allowed批准；認可
Example:The WHO gave approval for the new medicine.
baby (n.)
infant / a very young child嬰兒
Example:The medicine is for newborn babies.
dose (n.)
amount / the amount of medicine taken at one time劑量
Example:Wrong doses can be dangerous.
medicine (n.)
drug / a substance used to treat illness藥物；藥
Example:This medicine helps babies with malaria.
safe (adj.)
not dangerous / protected from harm安全
Example:The medicine is safe for babies.

Sentence Learning

The decision was on April 24.
Time Marker: The phrase 'on April 24' tells us when the decision happened.時間標記：短語「在4月24日」告訴我們決定發生的時間。
Before, babies got medicine for older children.
Time Marker: The word 'Before' shows that this action happened earlier in time.時間標記：詞語「之前」表示這個動作發生在更早的時間。
The approval means the medicine is safe and works well.
Basic Connector: The word 'and' connects two good things about the medicine.基本連接詞：詞語「和」連接關於藥物的兩個優點。
But the WHO says we need more money and better systems to stop malaria completely.
Basic Connector: The word 'But' introduces a different or opposite idea.基本連接詞：詞語「但是」引入一個不同或相反的觀點。
This new medicine will help about 30 million babies born each year in Africa.
Prepositional Phrase: The phrase 'in Africa' tells us where the babies are.介詞短語：短語「在非洲」告訴我們嬰兒所在的地點。
B2

WHO Grants First Prequalification Approval for Infant-Specific Malaria Treatment

Introduction

The World Health Organization has granted prequalification approval to a new antimalarial formulation designed specifically for newborns and infants, marking a first in the agency's history. The decision, announced on April 24, applies to the drug artemether-lumefantrine.

Main Body

The WHO stated that the prequalification status confirms the medicine meets international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. Artemether-lumefantrine is the first antimalarial product made specifically for the youngest patients of the mosquito-borne disease. Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that had a higher risk of dosage errors, side effects, and toxicity. The importance of this development is clear from the global situation. According to WHO data from 2024, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths across 80 countries. Africa accounts for 95 percent of both cases and deaths, with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths. The WHO noted that progress against malaria is hindered by drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failures, and large cuts in foreign aid spending. The prequalification approval is expected to help public sector purchases and address a long-term treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born each year in malaria-endemic regions of Africa. Furthermore, globally, 70 percent of countries lack strong regulatory systems to oversee medicines, vaccines, tests, and medical devices. The WHO prequalification program ensures that key health products for international procurement meet global standards for quality, safety, efficacy, and performance. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus spoke about this milestone. He noted that malaria has historically caused a lot of harm to children and communities. He stated that new vaccines, diagnostic tests, next-generation mosquito nets, and effective medicines—including those adapted for the youngest—are helping to change the direction of the disease. He further asserted that ending malaria within the current generation is a realistic goal, but it depends on continued political and financial commitment.

Conclusion

This prequalification approval is a specific action to reduce the risk of illness and death from malaria among the most vulnerable group. While the measure addresses an important lack of treatment, the WHO emphasizes that continued investment and improvements to the system are necessary to keep making progress toward eliminating malaria.

Vocabulary Learning

efficacy (n.)
the ability to produce a desired or intended result功效；效力
Example:The prequalification status confirms the medicine meets international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.
endemic (adj.)
regularly found in a particular area or group of people地方性的；流行的
Example:The prequalification approval is expected to address a long-term treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born each year in malaria-endemic regions of Africa.
hindered (v.)
made difficult or slowed down the progress of something阻礙；妨礙
Example:The WHO noted that progress against malaria is hindered by drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failures, and large cuts in foreign aid spending.
prequalification (n.)
official approval that a product meets required standards before being considered for procurement預先資格認證
Example:The WHO granted prequalification approval to a new antimalarial formulation designed specifically for newborns and infants.
toxicity (n.)
the degree to which a substance can harm living organisms毒性
Example:Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that had a higher risk of dosage errors, side effects, and toxicity.

Sentence Learning

Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that had a higher risk of dosage errors, side effects, and toxicity.
Relative Clause This sentence uses a relative clause ('that had...') to provide additional information about the noun 'practice'. The past participle 'intended' acts as an adjective to describe the treatments. This structure helps combine two ideas into one sentence, making the writing more concise and logical.關係從句 這個句子使用了關係從句（'that had...'）來為名詞 'practice' 提供額外信息。過去分詞 'intended' 作為形容詞修飾 'treatments'。這種結構有助於將兩個想法合併到一個句子中，使寫作更簡潔、更有邏輯。
The WHO noted that progress against malaria is hindered by drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failures, and large cuts in foreign aid spending.
Passive Voice The passive voice ('is hindered by') emphasizes the progress itself rather than who or what is hindering it. This is common in formal reporting to focus on the result or the affected entity. The agent (the causes) is introduced with 'by'.被動語態 被動語態（'is hindered by'）強調的是進展本身，而不是誰或什麼在阻礙它。這在正式報導中很常見，用來聚焦結果或受影響的實體。施動者（原因）通過 'by' 引入。
While the measure addresses an important lack of treatment, the WHO emphasizes that continued investment and improvements to the system are necessary to keep making progress toward eliminating malaria.
Linking Word: While 'While' introduces a concessive clause, contrasting the positive action (addresses a lack) with the ongoing need (continued investment). It helps organize contrasting ideas in a single sentence, making the argument more nuanced.連接詞：While 'While' 引導一個讓步從句，對比正面行動（解決治療缺口）與持續需求（繼續投資）。它有助於在一個句子中組織對比觀點，使論證更細緻。
The prequalification approval is expected to help public sector purchases and address a long-term treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born each year in malaria-endemic regions of Africa.
Passive Voice The passive construction 'is expected' shifts focus to the approval itself, not who expects it. The past participle 'born' acts as a reduced relative clause ('who are born'). This structure is efficient for describing characteristics and anticipated outcomes.被動語態 被動結構 'is expected' 將焦點轉移到批准本身，而不是誰在期望。過去分詞 'born' 作為簡化關係從句（'who are born'）。這種結構能高效地描述特徵和預期結果。
Furthermore, globally, 70 percent of countries lack strong regulatory systems to oversee medicines, vaccines, tests, and medical devices.
Linking Word: Furthermore 'Furthermore' is a linking adverb that adds a new point to support the previous argument. It signals to the reader that additional evidence or context is coming, improving the flow and logical progression of ideas.連接詞：Furthermore 'Furthermore' 是一個連接副詞，用來添加新觀點以支持之前的論點。它向讀者表明接下來會有額外的證據或背景，從而改善思路的流暢性和邏輯推進。
C2

WHO Grants First Prequalification Approval for Infant-Specific Malaria Treatment

Introduction

The World Health Organization has granted prequalification approval to a novel antimalarial formulation designed specifically for newborns and infants, marking a first in the agency's history. The decision, announced on April 24, applies to the drug artemether-lumefantrine.

Main Body

The prequalification designation, as stated by the WHO, confirms that the medicine meets international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy. Artemether-lumefantrine is the first antimalarial product formulated explicitly for the youngest victims of the mosquito-borne disease. Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that carried a higher risk of dosage errors, adverse side effects, and toxicity. The broader epidemiological context underscores the significance of this development. According to WHO data from 2024, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths across 80 countries. Africa accounts for 95 percent of both cases and fatalities, with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths. The WHO noted that progress against malaria is impeded by drug resistance, insecticide resistance, diagnostic failures, and sharp reductions in foreign aid spending. The prequalification approval is expected to facilitate public sector procurement and help address a longstanding treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born annually in malaria-endemic regions of Africa. Globally, 70 percent of countries lack regulatory systems robust enough to oversee medicines, vaccines, tests, and medical devices. The WHO prequalification program ensures that key health products for international procurement adhere to global benchmarks for quality, safety, efficacy, and performance. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus commented on the milestone, noting that malaria has historically caused significant harm to children and communities. He stated that new vaccines, diagnostic tests, next-generation mosquito nets, and effective medicines—including those adapted for the youngest—are contributing to a shift in the trajectory of the disease. He further asserted that ending malaria within the current generation is a realistic objective, contingent upon sustained political and financial commitment.

Conclusion

This prequalification approval represents a targeted intervention to reduce the risk of malaria-related morbidity and mortality among the most vulnerable demographic. While the measure addresses a critical treatment gap, the WHO emphasizes that continued investment and systemic improvements are necessary to sustain progress toward malaria elimination.

Vocabulary Learning

formulation (n.)
A specific mixture or preparation, especially of a drug配方；製劑
Example:The novel antimalarial formulation is designed for infants.
impede (v.)
To delay or block the progress of something阻礙；妨礙
Example:Progress against malaria is impeded by drug resistance.
morbidity (n.)
The state of being diseased; the incidence of illness in a population發病率
Example:The intervention aims to reduce malaria-related morbidity and mortality.
prequalification (n.)
The process of evaluating and approving a product as meeting specified standards before it can be procured預先資格認證
Example:The WHO granted prequalification approval to the antimalarial formulation.
procurement (n.)
The acquisition of goods or services, especially for an organization採購；取得
Example:The approval is expected to facilitate public sector procurement.

Sentence Learning

Artemether-lumefantrine is the first antimalarial product formulated explicitly for the youngest victims of the mosquito-borne disease.
Reduced Relative Clause: The past participle phrase 'formulated explicitly for the youngest victims' acts as a reduced relative clause modifying 'product', omitting 'which was'. This compresses information and adds conciseness.縮減關係從句：過去分詞短語「formulated explicitly for the youngest victims」作為縮減關係從句修飾「product」，省略了「which was」。這壓縮了信息，使句子更簡潔。
Previously, infants received treatments intended for older children, a practice that carried a higher risk of dosage errors, adverse side effects, and toxicity.
Appositive with Non-restrictive Relative Clause: The noun phrase 'a practice that carried a higher risk...' is an appositive that renames the preceding clause, and the relative clause 'that carried...' provides additional non-restrictive information. Also includes a reduced relative 'intended for older children'.同位語及非限制性關係從句：名詞短語「a practice that carried a higher risk...」是同位語，對前一分句進行補充說明；關係從句「that carried...」提供非限制性附加信息。句中亦包含縮減關係從句「intended for older children」。
Africa accounts for 95 percent of both cases and fatalities, with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths.
Absolute Construction: The phrase 'with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths' is an absolute construction using 'with + noun + present participle', providing a subordinate circumstance that adds detail without a finite verb.獨立主格結構：短語「with children under five representing three-quarters of those deaths」是獨立主格結構，採用「with + 名詞 + 現在分詞」形式，以非限定動詞形式提供附屬情況，增添細節。
The prequalification approval is expected to facilitate public sector procurement and help address a longstanding treatment gap for approximately 30 million infants born annually in malaria-endemic regions of Africa.
Passive Infinitive and Reduced Relative Clause: The passive infinitive 'is expected to facilitate' indicates an anticipated action. The past participle 'born annually' is a reduced relative clause modifying 'infants', omitting 'who are'. The sentence also features a complex noun phrase with numbers and geographical specification.被動不定式及縮減關係從句：被動不定式「is expected to facilitate」表示預期動作。過去分詞「born annually」是縮減關係從句，修飾「infants」，省略了「who are」。句子還包含帶有數字和地理說明的複雜名詞短語。
He further asserted that ending malaria within the current generation is a realistic objective, contingent upon sustained political and financial commitment.
Gerund Subject and Adjective Phrase: The gerund phrase 'ending malaria within the current generation' functions as the subject of the embedded clause. The adjective phrase 'contingent upon sustained political and financial commitment' postmodifies 'objective', adding a condition.動名詞主語及形容詞短語：動名詞短語「ending malaria within the current generation」充當嵌入從句的主語。形容詞短語「contingent upon sustained political and financial commitment」後置修飾「objective」，增加條件限制。