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ISLAMABAD: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is considering offering free treatment for patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare and debilitating genetic disorder.
This development was announced at an event in Islamabad organized by the Strive Eradication of Disability Foundation (SEDF), a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of persons with disabilities.
SEDF’s founding chairman, Mohammad Yasir Khan, shared that the proposal was presented to KP government officials two months ago, and they have agreed to collaborate.
The KP health department has requested a budget summary, and treatment is expected to begin within a year. Discussions with other provincial governments are ongoing, with hopes that they will follow KP’s lead.
The foundation has raised Rs34 million, enabling treatment for 36 patients through a partnership with a pharmaceutical company. However, 30 patients still await treatment, which remains unaffordable despite an 80% subsidized rate.
SMA was once a leading cause of childhood deaths, but recent medical breakthroughs can save lives with prompt treatment.
This development brings hope to SMA patients and their families, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts between government and nonprofit organizations in improving healthcare access.
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