IndiaPosted at: Oct 8 2026 7:42PM


SC seeks dedicated funding framework for costly treatment of SMA patients

Parmod Kumar
New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursday called for a permanent financial support mechanism for patients suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder, observing that access to prohibitively expensive treatment should not be left to occasional charity or ad hoc government assistance.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana asked senior advocate and amicus curiae Aparajita Singh to prepare a comprehensive proposal for the creation of a dedicated corpus that could receive regular contributions and provide sustained assistance to patients in need.

The bench emphasised that what was required was not a one-time arrangement but a continuing and dependable system capable of responding to the recurring financial burden faced by families of SMA patients.

The proposed framework is expected to examine possible contributions from Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, institutional donors, and the Central government.

The court also indicated that the fund should operate strictly on a non-profit basis, with the available resources channelled in a manner that maximises benefit to patients.

The proceedings concern the lack of adequate and affordable treatment infrastructure for people living with SMA, which predominantly affects infants and young children, and for which available therapies can cost several crores of rupees.

For families confronted with such treatment costs, the absence of a stable support mechanism can make access to therapy uncertain and financially overwhelming.

The bench has given the amicus curiae four weeks to place the proposed framework for the dedicated corpus before the court.
UNI XC RSA
Tags: #SC seeks dedicated funding framework for costly treatment of SMA patients
More News

SC quashes abetment case, says breakup or refusal to marry alone insufficient for prosecution

08 Oct 2026 | 8:01 PM

Parmod Kumar

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court has held that the breakdown of a relationship or refusal to marry, by itself, cannot justify prosecution for abetment of suicide merely because the other partner subsequently dies by suicide.

see more..

Delhi govt to launch portal to map student PGs, strengthen safety measures

08 Oct 2026 | 7:49 PM

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Thursday chaired the second meeting of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) formed regarding student accommodation and safety.
The meeting focused on strengthening safety measures, improving regulatory frameworks, and finalizing immediate operational steps involving all key stakeholders, including the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Police, and universities in the national capital.

see more..

SC seeks dedicated funding framework for costly treatment of SMA patients

08 Oct 2026 | 7:42 PM

Parmod Kumar
New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Thursday called for a permanent financial support mechanism for patients suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare genetic disorder, observing that access to prohibitively expensive treatment should not be left to occasional charity or ad hoc government assistance.

see more..

INDIA Bloc takes ECI fight to Raj Ghat, vows to continue ‘vote theft’ campaign

08 Oct 2026 | 7:42 PM

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Leaders and MPs of the opposition INDIA bloc on Thursday took their escalating campaign against the Election Commission of India to Raj Ghat, paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi before staging a peaceful sit-in demanding the resignation and removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and protesting what they alleged were large-scale irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls.

see more..

IMD warns of thunderstorms in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi on Oct 10-11

08 Oct 2026 | 7:38 PM

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph, reaching up to 50 kmph in gusts, at isolated places across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi on October 10 and 11. The weather agency has also issued a heavy rainfall warning for Uttarakhand on October 9.

see more..