A 'Multidisciplinary SMA Clinic' has been successfully conducted for Spinal Muscular Atrophy or SMA patients.
The clinic was organized completely free of charge by the experts of various disciplines including renowned doctors, therapists, nutritionists of the country involved in the treatment of SMA.
This day-long 'Multidisciplinary SMA Clinic' was held from 9 am on Tuesday (July 2) under the initiative of 'Cure SMA Bangladesh', the only organization working for the welfare of SMA patients in the country with collaboration of Barakah General Hospital at its Rajarbagh branch.
A total of 20 SMA patients from different parts of the country received the service. In addition to medical consultation, the clinic also provides advice on therapy, sample collection and testing, and necessary devices.
Dr. AR Lutful Kabir was present as Specialist doctor in the multidisciplinary SMA clinic in respiratory medicine while Dr. Sarwar Ibn Salam Rommel served in Pediatric Neurology. Patients were able to consult with Dr. Deepa Saha for Respiratory Medicine, Senior Clinical Occupational Therapist SM Farhan Bin Hossain along with Sudipta Saha, Nutritionist Naima Ruby, Physiotherapist Md. Masum and Prosthetist and Orthotist Nirmal Kanti Dev Roy.
SMA disease is caused by a genetic problem in the parents. If a couple is an SMA carrier or carries the gene responsible for developing SMA, their child has a 25 percent chance of developing SMA. There is a 25 percent chance of having a healthy baby, and a 50 percent chance, even if the baby is healthy, of being an SMA carrier.
Some 165 patients have been identified so far in the country. The organization has compiled these statistics by collecting primary data from several hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centers and pharmaceuticals in the country.
Cure SMA Bangladesh demanded setting up tests for diagnosis of SMA in the country and establishing SMA Dedicated Corner or SMA Corner in all government hospitals of the country.
They also urged a national survey to know the true picture of SMA disease in the country. As in other countries of the world, the government provides medicines for SMA patients.