Tripura's Two-Year-Old SMA Patient Referred to AIIMS New Delhi, Doctors Urge Coordinated Treatment as Public Donation Drive Grows
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, July 6, 2026
A two-year-old girl from Hapania in Tripura, Monshree Chowdhury, who has been diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), has been referred to the Neurology Department of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi for further evaluation and final treatment planning after a detailed review by specialists at Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital.
The development comes amid a widespread public fundraising campaign across Tripura, where individuals and groups have been collecting donations through social media platforms and direct public appeals to support the child's treatment. Several QR code-based payment links and Google Pay scanners have been circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms. However, concerns have emerged that not all of these fundraising initiatives are directly linked to or authorized by Monshree's parents.
On Monday, groups of youths were also seen stopping vehicles in Agartala's Lichubagan area to collect cash donations for the child's treatment. Similar fundraising drives have reportedly taken place in several parts of the state, reflecting overwhelming public sympathy for the family.
While many citizens have generously contributed, several social media users have appealed to donors to ensure that financial assistance reaches Monshree's family directly or through verified and officially authorized channels to maintain transparency and accountability.
Meanwhile, a panel of specialists from AGMC and GBP Hospital met Monshree and her family on Monday to review her medical records and discuss the future course of treatment.
The expert team included neurologists Dr. Abhirlal Nath, Dr. Supriya Jamatia, Dr. Arpan Mitra, Dr. Siddha Reddy, paediatric specialist Dr. Sanjib Debbarma and one specialist doctor of PMR Department of GBP Hospital.
According to the doctor Abhirlal Nath, the child's parents had already consulted several premier medical institutions across the country, including NIMHANS, Bengaluru, and AIIMS New Delhi, where extensive investigations, including genetic testing, confirmed that Monshree is suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), a rare inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene. The disease progressively weakens muscles responsible for movement, swallowing and breathing.
Following the review, the specialists held discussions with AGMC Principal Dr. Tapan Majumdar. It was unanimously decided that the case should be managed under the guidance of Dr. Shefali Gulati, Head of the Department of Neurology at AIIMS New Delhi.
Accordingly, Monshree has been referred to AIIMS New Delhi, where she is scheduled to be evaluated on July 17. The final decision regarding her treatment protocol will be taken by the GBP and AGMC specialist doctors team in consultations with the AIIMS specialist team.
Notably, Monshree's family has also approached Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha seeking financial and medical assistance. The Chief Minister reportedly met the family and discussed their request for support.
In view of multiple fundraising campaigns currently being conducted across Tripura and numerous QR codes circulating on social media, well-wishers are advised to exercise caution while making contributions. Those wishing to support the treatment of two-year-old Manushree Chowdhury are requested to donate only in the name of her father, Dhuba Chowdhury, of Hapania, Agartala, Tripura, through verified payment details provided or authorized by the family. Donors are urged to avoid transferring money to any unverified account or QR code to ensure that every contribution reaches the child's family directly for her treatment.
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