The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government is considering offering free treatment to patients suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder that severely affects physical abilities.
This promising update was shared at an event in Islamabad, organised by the Strive Eradication of Disability Foundation (SEDF), a non-profit organisation working to enhance the quality of life for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
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SEDF’s founding chairman, Mohammad Yasir Khan, revealed that the foundation had proposed the idea to the KP government two months ago. The provincial health department has shown interest in collaborating with the foundation.
“The health department has requested a budget summary for the treatment, and we hope that within a year, patients will start receiving care,” said Khan. Discussions are also underway with other provincial governments to extend similar support.
Majid Qureshi, President of SEDF, shared that the foundation has already raised Rs34 million to support the expensive treatment of 36 SMA patients through a partnership with a pharmaceutical company.
However, 30 more patients are still waiting for help, as the cost remains out of reach for most families, even with an 80% subsidy on the available medication.
