Tripura CM Manik Saha steps in for infant with SMA Type-1 at AIIMS Delhi
Synopsis
A 22-month-old girl from Tripura with the rare and life-threatening SMA Type-1 disorder has become a rallying point for cross-party solidarity, with Chief Minister Manik Saha personally directing state machinery to clear her path to AIIMS — while former CM Biplab Kumar Deb and opposition leaders unite in support. The case puts a human face on the systemic gap smaller states face in accessing advanced medical care.
Key Takeaways
Tripura CM Manik Saha has directed officials to facilitate AIIMS treatment for Manasree Choudhury , aged 22 months .
The infant has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-1 , a severe and life-threatening neuromuscular disorder.
Tripura Bhawan in New Delhi is coordinating directly with AIIMS to ensure seamless medical access.
Former CM and Lok Sabha member Biplab Kumar Deb is facilitating treatment under Dr Sheffali Gulati , Child Neurology Division, AIIMS.
Opposition leader Jitendra Chaudhury and multiple political leaders, NGOs, and individuals have extended financial support.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has directed state officials to extend all possible support for the treatment of Manasree Choudhury, a 22-month-old infant diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-1, a severe and life-threatening neuromuscular disorder. Tripura Bhawan in New Delhi has swiftly mobilised resources to coordinate her admission and medical care at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, as of 13 July.
What the Government Has Done
A senior official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) confirmed on Monday that the Tripura Bhawan team has taken the initiative to liaise directly with AIIMS, New Delhi, ensuring the child has seamless access to expert medical evaluation and treatment protocols without administrative delays. The Resident Commissioner and officials of Tripura Bhawan are continuously monitoring the situation and remain in close contact with both the AIIMS medical team and the child's family.
'Our priority is to ensure that no citizen of Tripura feels helpless while facing a serious health crisis. The state government is fully committed to standing by the family of young Manasree and providing all necessary logistical and administrative support during her treatment at AIIMS,' Chief Minister Saha said in a statement.
About Manasree and Her Condition
Manasree Choudhury is the only daughter of Dhruba Choudhury. She has been diagnosed with SMA Type-1, which experts describe as one of the most severe forms of this rare genetic disorder, affecting muscle strength and movement from infancy. Treatment for the condition is highly specialised and carries enormous medical expenses, making financial support critical for the family.
Former Chief Minister and Lok Sabha member Biplab Kumar Deb has taken an active role in facilitating the child's treatment at AIIMS under the supervision of Dr Sheffali Gulati, Professor and Faculty-in-Charge of the Child Neurology Division under the Department of Paediatrics.
Cross-Party Support and Public Response
The case has drawn widespread public sympathy across Tripura. Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury, former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, and several other political leaders have extended support to the family. Social organisations, non-governmental organisations, and numerous individuals have also contributed financial assistance, reflecting rare cross-party solidarity in a politically divided state.
Notably, this outpouring of support underscores the broader challenge families in smaller states face when seeking advanced medical care — a journey that often requires navigating both geographic distance and prohibitive costs.
What Happens Next
With the Tripura government's administrative machinery now engaged and Dr Sheffali Gulati's team at AIIMS involved, Manasree's case is expected to proceed through specialist evaluation and treatment planning. The CMO has indicated that state support will continue throughout the family's stay in the national capital.
Point of View
But it also exposes a structural problem: families in smaller, geographically peripheral states routinely depend on political intervention to access specialist care that should be administratively routine. The fact that a chief minister's directive was needed to secure AIIMS admission for a critically ill infant points to gaps in the national referral system. The cross-party solidarity is heartening, but it should not substitute for a durable, state-funded rare disease support mechanism — something India's National Policy for Rare Diseases, announced years ago, has yet to deliver at scale for states like Tripura.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Manasree Choudhury and what condition does she have?
Manasree Choudhury is a 22-month-old girl from Tripura and the only daughter of Dhruba Choudhury. She has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-1, one of the most severe forms of a rare genetic disorder that affects muscle strength and movement and requires highly specialised, expensive treatment.
What has the Tripura government done to help the family?
Chief Minister Manik Saha directed officials to extend all possible assistance, and Tripura Bhawan in New Delhi mobilised resources to coordinate the child's admission and care at AIIMS. The Resident Commissioner and Tripura Bhawan officials are continuously monitoring the situation and liaising with both the AIIMS medical team and the family.
Which doctor is treating Manasree at AIIMS?
Manasree's treatment at AIIMS is being facilitated under Dr Sheffali Gulati, Professor and Faculty-in-Charge of the Child Neurology Division under the Department of Paediatrics. Former CM Biplab Kumar Deb played an active role in securing this arrangement.
Why has the case drawn such widespread support?
SMA Type-1 treatment is highly specialised and carries enormous medical expenses, making it financially out of reach for most families. The case evoked public sympathy across Tripura, prompting cross-party political leaders, NGOs, and individuals to contribute financial assistance to the family.
What is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type-1?
SMA Type-1 is one of the most severe forms of a rare genetic disorder that affects muscle strength and movement, typically manifesting in infancy. It is life-threatening and requires urgent, highly specialised medical intervention that is both scarce and expensive in India.
