Photo Courtesy: tripuratimes
Agartala: Manashree Chowdhury, a young girl from Hapania, Agartala, secured 12 vials of Risdiplam to treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1. The life-saving medicine came from the Centre of Excellence at Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh. This delivery followed direct intervention from the Tripura government.
The girl's parents approached Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha during a public programme in June 2026. The Chief Minister wrote to Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda on July 9, 2026. The Union Health Ministry responded by pointing the family toward the National Policy for Rare Diseases. The policy allows for financial aid reaching 50 lakh rupees at designated centres.
Staff at the Dibrugarh facility evaluated the child before handing over the medicine on August 21. These 12 vials should last eight months. The supplies carry a value of roughly 2.29 lakh rupees. The family remains eligible for an additional 47.31 lakh rupees in future aid. Experts at the centre noted a sobering reality regarding the drug: “while Risdiplam has shown effectiveness in other forms of SMA, its efficacy in SMA Type 1 is very limited.”
The family also looked beyond state help. They obtained a certificate on July 27 from the Medical Superintendent of Agartala Government Medical College and GB Pant Hospital. This document allowed them to secure a 20 lakh rupee commitment from Tata Trusts. Previous evaluations at AIIMS in New Delhi suggested the girl might be a candidate for Zolgensma. That therapy aims to preserve residual motor function but cannot reverse existing nerve damage. Officials continue to coordinate care for the child.
Comments