New Delhi/Agartala, July 13 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister, Manik Saha, has directed officials to extend all possible assistance for the advanced treatment of a 22-month-old infant suffering from a rare genetic disorder, with Tripura Bhawan in New Delhi taking swift steps to coordinate her admission and medical care at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

A senior official of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Monday said that the patient, Manasree Choudhury, the only daughter of Dhruba Choudhury, has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-1, a severe and life-threatening neuromuscular disorder that requires highly specialised and urgent medical intervention.

Acting on the Chief Minister’s instructions, officials at Tripura Bhawan in New Delhi immediately mobilised resources to assist the family and facilitate the child’s treatment, the official said.

According to the CMO, the Tripura Bhawan team has taken the initiative to coordinate with AIIMS, New Delhi, ensuring that the child receives seamless access to expert medical evaluation and the required treatment protocols without administrative hurdles.

“Our priority is to ensure that no citizen of Tripura feels helpless while facing a serious health crisis. The state government is fully committed to standing by the family of young Manasree and providing all necessary logistical and administrative support during her treatment at AIIMS,” Chief Minister Saha said in a statement.

The CMO official said that the Resident Commissioner and officials of Tripura Bhawan are continuously monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with both the AIIMS medical team and the child’s family to ensure comprehensive assistance throughout their stay in the national Capital.

The case has evoked widespread public support across Tripura. Leaders cutting across political lines, social organisations, non-governmental organisations and numerous individuals have extended financial assistance to the family, as the treatment for the rare disease involves enormous medical expenses.

Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, former Chief Minister and Lok Sabha member Biplab Kumar Deb, along with several other political leaders, have come forward to support the ailing child and her family.

Deb has also taken an active initiative to facilitate the child’s treatment at AIIMS under the supervision of Dr Sheffali Gulati, Professor and Faculty-in-Charge of the Child Neurology Division under the Department of Paediatrics.

Experts said that the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-1 is one of the most severe forms of the rare genetic disorder, affecting muscle strength and movement.

Treatment is highly specialised and extremely expensive, prompting an outpouring of support from people across Tripura to help ensure that the infant receives the life-saving medical care she urgently needs.

–IANS

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