Latest malaria drug may be available in government hospitals in January

Combined power: Liow pointing to a picture on the new malaria treatment after launching the DNDI Jubilee celebrations in Kuala Lumpur. Accompanying him are Dr Ismail (centre) and Dr Bernard Pécoul, DNDI executive director.

KUALA LUMPUR: The latest malaria combination drug treatment approved by the World Health Organisation will enable patients to reduce the treatment period to three days from the present 14 days.

The drug, which was registered with the ministry's Drug Control Authority in March, is expected to be available at government hospitals in January, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.