In a heart-warming display of governance and compassion, Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh stepped in to save one-year-old Punarvika, who was battling a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder called Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type-1. The infant from Kurnool district required a one-time gene therapy injection, Zolgensma, which is priced at a staggering ₹16 crore. While a massive social media crowdfunding campaign successfully raised ₹10 crore through thousands of small donors, the family hit a roadblock in securing the remaining funds and navigating the complex import process.
Upon learning of the family’s plight through social media, Minister Lokesh personally pledged to bridge the ₹6 crore funding gap and took full responsibility for the child’s recovery. He didn’t just provide financial aid; he actively coordinated with pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities to fast-track the import of the drug from the United States. His intervention ensured that the bureaucratic hurdles and customs clearances were cleared swiftly, making the treatment possible within the critical medical window.
The life-saving injection was successfully administered to Punarvika at a hospital in Hyderabad on April 18, 2026, in the presence of the Minister and the girl’s emotional parents. Following the procedure, Lokesh expressed his gratitude to the thousands of donors whose collective humanity made the miracle possible, stating that fulfilling his promise to save the child gave him immense satisfaction. The parents, overwhelmed with joy, described the moment as a “rebirth” for their daughter, thanking both the public and the Minister for their unwavering support.
