Suggestion committee on Muscular Dystrophy formed

Kathmandu, March 25: A suggestion committee has been formed under coordination of senior consultant and neurologist Prof Dr Jagadish Prasad Agrawal.

The committee was formed to identify people with Muscular Dystrophy condition, its treatment, prevention as well as prepare long-term policy and action plan for the rehabilitation of muscular dystrophy patients. Muscular Dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles. 

The committee was formed at the initiative of Minister for Health and Population to identify and prevent the disease as the number of people suffering from this disease is increasing. 

Prof Dr Rohit Kumar Pokharel of Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Anil Kumar Upadhyay of Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Nepal, Prof Dr Mita Shah Rana of TUTH and Chief of Policy Planning Division under the Health Ministry, Dr Krishna Prasad Poudel, are members of the committee. 

Similarly, Nistha Shrestha of Epidemiology and Disease Control Division and representative of Nepal Pediatric Society is the member of the committee while Dr Pushpa Raj Poudel of the Ministry is the member-secretary.  

Spokesperson at the Ministry, Dr Prakash Budhathoki, said the committee has been given responsibility to prepare necessary policy and programme to prevent the disease as well as rehabilitate the patients and families. 

As per the data, 800 people have been affected from this disease. The committee has been asked to prepare awareness programme about prevention of the disease and inform families and health workers as well as prepare programme for social rehabilitation and self-reliance of the patients. (RSS)