Agartala, 19th August 2026 : The desperate struggle of a Tripura family to save their two-year-old daughter suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) has taken an emotional turn, with the child’s father making a social media appeal seeking information about hospitals where kidney transplants are legally performed.
Manashree, the only daughter of Dhruba Chowdhury and his wife, requires treatment estimated to cost around ₹16 crore. Crowdfunding campaigns launched across Tripura and other parts of the country have so far generated nearly ₹6 crore, leaving another ₹10 crore to be raised urgently.
The family has approached several well-known personalities for assistance, including Bollywood actor Sonu Sood and social activist Hussain Mansuri. Mansuri recently visited the family and contributed ₹5 lakh towards Manashree’s treatment.
The urgency stems from Manashree’s age. Zolgensma, a costly gene therapy used in the treatment of SMA, is generally administered at an early age, and the family fears that the opportunity to provide the treatment could soon pass.
On Wednesday morning, Dhruba Chowdhury posted an “Urgent Appeal” on Facebook, asking knowledgeable and reliable people to provide information about hospitals in India that legally conduct kidney transplants. The post quickly generated widespread discussion, with many questioning whether the desperate father was contemplating selling or donating a kidney to raise money for his daughter.
There has been no confirmation from the family that he intends to sell a kidney, but the post has highlighted the extraordinary financial pressure they are facing.
Meanwhile, a group of young volunteers, including Banamalipur-based social activist Raja Saha, continues to work with the family to mobilise funds.
The case has also triggered renewed calls for greater government support for families facing unaffordable costs for life-saving medical treatment.
