Agartala, Tripura, 13th of September, 2026 : Under a special initiative of the State Government, Manashree Chowdhury, who is suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, has received 12 vials of Risdiplam at Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh, Assam. The medicine was provided under the Rare Disease Programme, along with free injections worth around ₹2.29 lakh.
According to the Health Department, Dhruba Chowdhury, father of Manashree Chowdhury, approached Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha during the ‘Mukhyamantri Samipeshu’ programme in June, seeking support for his daughter’s medical treatment. The Chief Minister subsequently raised the issue with the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister.
The Union Health Minister informed the Chief Minister that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is implementing the National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021. Under the policy, patients suffering from identified rare diseases can receive financial assistance of up to ₹50 lakh for treatment at designated Centres of Excellence.
It was also informed that the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Imphal, Assam Medical College and Hospital in Dibrugarh, and the Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER) in Kolkata are among the designated Centres of Excellence. Subsequently, the child’s parents took her to Assam Medical College and Hospital, where she was provided 12 vials of Risdiplam on August 21.
In addition, to facilitate further financial assistance from Tata Trusts for Manashree’s treatment, the Medical Superintendent of Agartala Government Medical College and GBP Hospital issued a certificate on July 27, 2026. Based on the certificate, Tata Trusts has sanctioned ₹20 lakh for the child’s treatment.
The Health Department also informed that Manashree’s parents took her to AIIMS in New Delhi in July this year, where she underwent further tests and medical examinations.
The State Government is maintaining regular communication with Manashree Chowdhury’s parents and has taken necessary initiatives to ensure that the child receives the best possible treatment and all required assistance.
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