HC directs Centre, Odisha authorities to tell by August 1 on DMD therapy

By Express News Service

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court on Monday directed each the Centre and Odisha authorities to tell it by August 1 as to what “arrangement can be put in place to immediately address the needs of 15 children suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)”.

Children affected by DMD, a genetic dysfunction, have progressive muscle degeneration and weak point. The illness nearly all the time impacts boys, and signs often start early in childhood.

Children with DMD usually lose the flexibility to stroll after they attain 8 to 12 years of age and want wheelchairs to get round. The courtroom issued the route on a PIL in search of judicial intervention for therapy of 15 kids.

High Court lawyer Anshuman Ray who filed the petition sought route to the State authorities to offer Antisense Oligonucleotide (AON) remedy which prices Rs 40 lakh to 50 lakh yearly to the 15 kids underneath the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.

The division bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice RK Pattanaik mentioned, “Since this is a matter of some urgency, the court expects a positive response from both the State government as well as Union of India.”