Parents approach Collector for financial aid for two-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy

Parents of a two-year-old child diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) submitted a petition at the Coimbatore District Collectorate on Monday seeking financial assistance for his treatment.

Ajay Sylvester, the child’s father, said that their son’s movements became unusual when he was six months old. “We consulted several hospitals and he was diagnosed with SMA muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disorder that affects the muscles used for movement and gradually weakens them. The prescribed injection, Zolgensma, costs about ₹16 crore. We managed to start oral medication called Risdiplam through crowdfunding. I have left my job to take care of our son while my wife, Saranya, who works in the IT sector, continues to support the family. We are now seeking government help for the gene therapy recommended by our doctor, which is available in Malaysia at about ₹1.5 crore,” he said.

Farmers’ demand

Farmers, backed by the Tamil Nadu Farmers Protection Association, have called for an immediate stop to the construction of a sewage treatment plant in No.4 Veerapandi town panchayat. They said the site is used for grazing and cultivation, and warned that discharge could contaminate groundwater, reduce crop yield, and harm livestock.

The petition also cited risks to nearby residential areas due to lack of proper drainage, and environmental impacts on forests, wildlife, and water resources. Petitioners said no public consultation or transparent environmental clearance was conducted, and urged authorities to review approvals, halt construction, and safeguard public health, agriculture, and the ecosystem.