CHENNAI: Most children diagnosed with Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSD) do not reach adulthood due to lack of diagnosis and availability of approved therapies. Treatment for certain metabolic disorders or LSD ranges from between Rs 45 lakh to Rs 3 crore, too expensive for patients.
Actor Karthi Sivakumar, cause ambassador of LSD Support Society, addressing a workshop on Tuesday appealed to the state government to provide free treatment to children with such disorders. "There should be a social support mechanism to make treatment reach people. Any sort of assistance from the government will be exceptionally valuable as it will make a perceptible difference in their quality of life," he said.
The exact prevalence of these diseases in Tamil Nadu is yet unknown but estimates suggest that over 150 children are affected by one of these disorders as per data collected by LSD Support Society. Most are not being provided Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT), despite these drugs being available in India.