Siddaramaiah seeks PM Modi’s intervention for lifesaving aid for child battling rare disease

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi for medical help for a 15-month-old boy who is battling with a rare disease.

The Karnataka Chief Minister is seeking financial assistance from the Centre after he urged the Union government to waive import taxes on the required Zolgensma injection.

“Our medical community has informed us of a potential cure in the form of an injection named Zolgensma. However, the exorbitant cost of this single-dose medication stands at approximately Rs 17.5 crore, presenting a formidable challenge for the family to access this crucial treatment,” the Chief Minister said.

The kid is going through a rare medical condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

“While the drug’s price itself is overwhelming, the added import taxes substantially increase the financial burden, making the acquisition of this lifesaving medication nearly unattainable for them,” Siddaramaiah added.

Siddaramaiah in his letter to PM Modi sought his intervention in two issues. First to direct the Ministry of Finance to waive off import taxes on Zolgensma and second to consider allocating monetary support from PM CARES Fund to assist the procurement of the injection.

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