Abuja — The World Health Organization has developed a new drug for the treatment of malaria that is targeted at children, the organization annouced here Wednesday.

About a million people die annually from malaria, most of them African children. But WHO said introduction of the drug in Africa will reduce the number of children who die by 100,000 annually.

Named Artesunate, derived from the Chinese herb Artemisia Annua, the drug has been developed for rectal use and is quickly absorbed, according to WHO.

The drug halts the course of the disease, "allowing the patient to regain consciousness and reach a health centre for further definitive curative treatment with oral anti-malarial drugs," WHO said in a statement released here.

It said the medication should be made available at a cost of less than one dollar per treatment, "to ensure the broadest possible access."

Release of the statement was part of activities marking Africa Malaria Day, and the first anniversary of the Roll Back Malaria Program lauchhed by African leaders here a year ago.

WHO said Artesunate is targeted at chidren with severe symptoms "who do not have prompt access to intra-venous treatment."

"In tropical Africa, young children are at the greatest risk of dying from malaria," it said. According to the organization, "one to five out of every hundred young children with severe malaria suffer symptoms that make it impossible for them to take drugs by mouth."

WHO noted that while immediate treatment is important to save those attacked by malaria, most people in Africa, especially in the rural areas, are currently outside the reach of effective assistance.

"At present, many African children do not have prompt access to such medical facilities nor trained health workers," it said.

"Of those suffering from severe malaria who are referred for treatment, only 18 percent reach hospital. Evidence shows that in most parts of rural Africa, the remaining 82 percent either die on route to hospital or at home."