Budget allocates ₹30 crore for SMA treatment

The State government has earmarked an amount of ₹30 crore in the Budget for ensuring continued treatment facilities for those suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

The government’s interventions in the area of rare diseases began in 2022 with the launch of an SMA pilot project at SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. The initiative began with the free distribution of Evrysdi – a medication which cost about ₹5.2 lakh – to SMA-afflicted children up to five years of age. In 2023, the coverage was expanded to include children up to seven years of age, according to Cure SMA, a SMA patient collective.

The Kerala United Against Rare Diseases (KARE) scheme was introduced in 2024 and treatment support was further extended to children up to 12 years of age. At present, 110 children across the State are beneficiaries of the programme.

The government is also providing Scoliosis surgery free of cost through the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, to correct the spinal curvature

Cure SMA has welcomed the budgetary allocation made by the government for SMA care as it is a great support for parents struggling to ensure the survival and quality of life of their SMA-afflicted children