Kampala, Uganda — Africa Global News | October 2025 | Uganda has become one of the first African nations to roll out Coartem Baby (also known as Riamet Baby), a revolutionary malaria treatment specifically formulated for infants and young children weighing less than 5 kilograms. This marks a major milestone in the global fight against malaria, particularly in protecting one of the most vulnerable age groups on the continent.
A Lifesaving Innovation
Developed by Novartis in partnership with the Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Coartem Baby is the first artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) designed for newborns and infants. The new formulation addresses a longstanding medical gap — until now, no approved anti-malarial treatment was available for babies under 5kg, leaving doctors and parents with few safe options.
The drug combines two potent anti-malarial agents — artemether and lumefantrine — in a specially calibrated dosage that ensures both safety and efficacy. To improve compliance and comfort, the medication is flavored and easy to administer, an essential feature for infants who cannot swallow tablets.
Uganda’s Early Adoption
Uganda’s inclusion among the first countries to adopt Coartem Baby reflects its strong commitment to tackling malaria, which remains one of the nation’s most serious public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Uganda records over 12 million malaria cases annually, with children under five accounting for the highest proportion of deaths.
By introducing Coartem Baby, Uganda aims to reduce infant malaria mortality significantly and strengthen its national malaria control strategy, which already includes preventive measures such as insecticide-treated nets, community health programs, and rapid diagnostic testing.
Dr. Diana Atwine, Permanent Secretary at Uganda’s Ministry of Health, praised the innovation as “a crucial breakthrough for our youngest citizens.” She noted that the government is working closely with local health centers to ensure that the new drug is available, affordable, and accessible across all districts.
Global Collaboration for Local Impact
The launch of Coartem Baby demonstrates how public-private partnerships can drive innovation in global health. The collaboration between Novartis and MMV, supported by national health authorities, shows that scientific advances can be effectively aligned with the realities of Africa’s healthcare systems.
“Every child deserves a chance to survive and thrive,” said Dr. David Reddy, CEO of MMV. “This formulation ensures that even the smallest and most fragile infants receive the life-saving treatment they need.”
A Step Toward Zero Malaria
As malaria remains endemic in 33 African countries, the introduction of Coartem Baby represents a transformational step toward achieving the African Union’s 2030 goal of ending malaria deaths. Health experts emphasize that such innovations must be matched by robust distribution systems, community education, and sustained investment in local healthcare infrastructure.
For Uganda and its partners, this rollout is more than a medical milestone — it’s a reaffirmation of Africa’s ability to lead in implementing life-saving innovations and setting global health precedents.
Africa Global News will continue to monitor the rollout and impact of Coartem Baby across the continent as African nations accelerate efforts to achieve universal healthcare and eliminate preventable child deaths.