Lokesh Leads ₹16-Crore Effort to Bring New Life into Infant Baby Punervika

Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh Education, IT and Electronics minister Nara Lokesh has spearheaded a humanitarian mission to save the life of one-year-old Punervika battling a rare and fatal Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA Type-1).

Lokesh’s timely intervention, coordination, and assurance proved decisive in securing a ₹16-crore Zolgensma gene therapy injection, which has offered the child a new lease of life.

Just months ago, social media platforms had been flooded with “Save Punervika” appeals, drawing an overwhelming response from citizens across the country. While lakhs of people contributed generously for the gene therapy injection for Punervika’s recovery, a crucial funding gap of ₹6 crore remained.

Lokesh stepped in at this crucial juncture, assuring the family that he would mobilise the remaining resources and extend full support.

True to his word, the minister not only facilitated the procurement of the expensive Zolgensma injection from the United States, but also personally monitored the entire process. He coordinated with the pharmaceutical giant Novartis, Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Hyderabad, and medical experts to ensure swift clearances, documentation, payments, and transportation, leaving no room for delays.

Doctors administered the gene therapy injection on Saturday morning at the Rainbow Children’s Hospital in Jubilee Hills in the presence of Lokesh. Following the procedure, the minister interacted with the doctors to understand the treatment details and reassured the anxious parents. In a touching gesture, he held and comforted the crying infant.

Punervika hails from Veldurthi in Kurnool district. She is the daughter of Suresh Kumar, a barber by profession, and Pushpavathi. The child showed no physical movement even six months after birth, prompting medical consultations that led to the diagnosis of SMA Type-1. Doctors indicated that the one-time Zolgensma gene therapy injection is the only hope for survival.

Expressing his happiness following the administration of the injection, Lokesh said collective prayers and support of lakhs of people has made a miracle possible. “Saving the child is our responsibility, and I will continue to stand by the family in every way,” he assured.

Overwhelmed, Punervika’s parents said while they had given birth to their child, the compassionate support of Lokesh and countless donors had granted Punervika a “rebirth.”