Pakistan Vaccination Drive Reaches 18.3 Million Children Worldwide

The WHO's prequalification of Artemether-lumefantrine is a landmark decision, as it is the first antimalarial treatment designed for the youngest victims of malaria, which has historically posed a significant threat to children. In 2024, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610,000 deaths globally, with children under five accounting for three-quarters of those fatalities. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized the importance of this development, stating, 'For centuries, malaria has stolen children from their parents... But today, the story is changing.' This approval not only meets international standards of quality, safety, and efficacy but also represents a crucial step towards combating malaria, particularly in Africa, where 95 percent of cases and deaths occur.