Archive · 10 Oct 2026
DU Centre Moves to Support Faculty Member’s Child’s SMA Treatment
A child of a University of Delhi faculty member has a rare illness called SMA Type 2.
The child needs treatment that includes gene therapy.
The university’s Centre for Distance and Online Education has started steps to help arrange financial support.
A committee with senior doctors from AIIMS is reviewing the case and how funds could be provided.
The statement says this illness is not covered by the Central Government Health Scheme panel.
People including colleagues and family members have raised about Rs 1 crore through crowdfunding.
That is only about 6.25 per cent of the expected treatment cost.
The association says money collected for the child will be used only for her treatment and welfare.
The University of Delhi’s Centre for Distance and Online Education has begun steps to facilitate financial support for a faculty member’s child.
The child has been diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2, a rare genetic disorder.
A committee including senior doctors from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences is examining the case and how funds might be released and transferred.
The statement said the condition is not covered under the Central Government Health Scheme panel and that gene therapy is needed.
About Rs 1 crore has been raised through crowdfunding, which the statement said is around 6.25 per cent of the expected treatment cost.
- Who
- A faculty member’s child, supported by the University of Delhi’s Centre for Distance and Online Education and the Centre for Distance and Online Teachers’ Association.
- What
- The university centre has initiated steps to facilitate financial support for the child’s treatment for SMA Type 2.
- When
- The report is dated October 10; it does not specify the year.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- Why
- The child has a rare genetic disorder, and the statement cites the urgency of the case and the need for gene therapy.
- Condition
- Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 2
- University centre
- University of Delhi’s Centre for Distance and Online Education
- Committee
- Includes experts and senior doctors from AIIMS
- Crowdfunding raised
- Around Rs 1 crore over the past few months
- Share of expected cost raised
- Around 6.25 per cent
- Coverage noted
- The statement said such diseases are not covered under the Central Government Health Scheme panel
- Use of collected funds
- Exclusively for the child’s treatment and welfare, according to the statement