PESHAWAR: Patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) have urgently highlighted the prohibitive cost and limited availability of modern treatments for this chronic neurological disorder in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. They are calling on the government to extend financial assistance to young individuals at risk of preventable disability.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that targets the central nervous system, potentially causing impaired mobility, vision loss, and long-term disability. It predominantly affects young adults aged 20 to 40, with a higher prevalence among women. According to the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation, nearly 2.9 million people worldwide are living with MS. In Pakistan, doctors estimate between 12,000 and 14,000 diagnosed cases, though comprehensive national data is lacking.
Advances in Treatment
Neurologists note that recent medical advances, particularly disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), have significantly improved patient outcomes by slowing disease progression and reducing relapses. However, access to these treatments remains a major challenge due to high costs and limited healthcare resources. Annual treatment expenses can reach nearly Rs1 million (approximately $3,600) per patient, making long-term care unaffordable for most families.
Current Challenges
While many patients rely on the provincial Sehat Card programme for treatment, doctors and patient advocates say the coverage is insufficient to meet full costs. Public hospitals lack access to modern therapies, and patients who cannot secure complete funding often interrupt their therapy, leading to rapid disease progression. Neurologists warn that this situation can result in irreversible disability.
Patients urge the government to increase funding for MS treatment and improve access to DMTs in public hospitals to prevent unnecessary disability among young people.
