In the busy corridors of a Yaoundé hospital, Esther Sabouangis is attending an antenatal appointment. She is in her early thirties and expecting her third child.

"I am sleeping under an insecticide-treated net and have taken the medication against malaria every time. I never had any fever during pregnancy – and I never got sick. I am very happy about this – for my baby and for myself."

Esther is fortunate enough to live in a major city in Cameroon where communication about the risks of malaria in pregnancy is good. Her government antenatal clinic offers the 3 or more doses of medicine that WHO recommends to protect mothers and unborn children from the devastating impact of malaria infection. Even better, the medicine is available for free.