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Patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have voiced serious concerns over the soaring cost of treatment and the lack of access to advanced therapies, warning that hundreds of young people risk lifelong disability due to inadequate government support, as reported by The Express Tribune.
According to The Express Tribune, Multiple Sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that attacks the central nervous system, affecting the brain and spinal cord. The disease can cause mobility problems, vision impairment, fatigue, and other neurological complications. According to medical experts, the condition primarily affects adults between the ages of 20 and 40, with women representing a significant proportion of those diagnosed. The Multiple Sclerosis International Federation estimates that around 2.9 million people worldwide are living with the disease. In Pakistan, neurologists believe the number of diagnosed patients ranges between 12,000 and 14,000, although the absence of a comprehensive national registry makes it difficult to determine the true scale of the problem. Doctors say modern disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) have transformed the management of MS in recent years. These medications help reduce relapses and slow the progression of the disease, allowing many patients to maintain a better quality of life. However, access to these treatments remains severely limited due to their high cost and the lack of adequate healthcare resources. According to healthcare specialists, annual treatment expenses can approach PKR 1 million (approximately USD 3,600) per patient, placing a heavy financial burden on families. Although some patients receive assistance through the provincial Sehat Card programme, medical professionals and patient advocates argue that the available coverage falls far short of meeting long-term treatment requirements. Public hospitals also continue to face shortages of modern MS medications, as cited by The Express Tribune. Interruptions in treatment are becoming increasingly common among patients who cannot secure sufficient funding. Neurologists warn that discontinuing therapy can accelerate disease progression, increasing the risk of permanent disability and reducing patients' chances of leading independent lives, as reported by The Express Tribune. (ANI)
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