Egypt's Health Ministry allocates 24 clinics nationwide to SMA cases

State ready to bear treatment costs patients with disease, at cost of $3m per case

Egypt's Minister of Health and Population Hala Zayed announced, on Sunday, the allocation of 24 clinics nationwide that will receive children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

The move comes as part of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi's initiative to treat SMA patients in Egypt.

Under the initiative, the ministry will provide medical services including gene therapy for children with SMA, out of concern for public health and achieving Egypt's Vision 2030.

The designated clinics will receive children of all ages and carry out clinical examinations and genetic tests as part of the diagnosis and evaluation of these cases, according to a Ministry of Health and Population statement.

Over a week ago, the President highlighted the issue of SMA, saying that there are a few cases in Egypt.

"If we can detect it early, the disease has a treatment that costs $3m per child," Al-Sisi said in a speech marking the anniversary of the 30 June revolution.

Al-Sisi added that the state can bear the treatment of children diagnosed with the disease, but he also called on organisations and those who are able to participate in this matter to contribute as well. An agreement has been put in place to manufacture medicines for SMA in Egypt.

Clinics allocated in the presidential initiative are: the Nasr and Nasser City Hospitals in Cairo; the Al Haram Clinic in Giza; the Hassan Awad Clinic in Qaliubiya; the Smouha Clinic in Alexandria; the Mabaret Zagazig Clinic in Sharqeya; the Mabaret Tanta Clinic in Gharbeya; the Comprehensive Clinic for Students in Menoufia; the Nasser Clinic in Daqahleya; and the Psychiatric Center Clinic in Kafr El-Sheikh.

Also included are: the Students Clinic in Shata in Damietta; the Damanhour Student Clinic in Beheira; the Houd Al-Dorsa Comprehensive Clinic in Suez; the Medical Complex Clinic in Ismailia; the New Medical Complex Clinic in Fayoum; the Al-Salam Clinic in Beni Suef; the Al-Mabarrah Comprehensive Clinic in Minya; and the Sidi Galal Clinic in Assiut; the Paediatric Neurology Clinic in the specialised clinic in Sohag; the Sidi Abdel Rahim Qena Clinic; the School Students Clinic in Aswan; the Hurghada Comprehensive Clinic in the Red Sea; the Al-Tor Comprehensive Clinic in South Sinai; and the Al-Arish Comprehensive Clinic in North Sinai.

Furthermore, a national committee comprised of professors from the Ministry of Health and Population, Egyptian universities, and the Armed Forces medical services has been formed to evaluate these cases.

This will take place in preparation for receiving treatment through three centres that were designated to provide treatment for the patients. This includes a centre at the Nasser Institute Hospital, and a centre at the Al-Galaa Hospital affiliated with the Armed Forces, in addition to the Ain Shams University Hospital Center.