SMA Symposium in Islamabad Calls for Early Diagnosis, Research and Wider Support

Islamabad: The Pakistan SMA Symposium 2026, organised by STRIVE – Strive Eradication of Disability Foundation, was held at Serena Hotel Islamabad, where national and international experts underlined the need for greater awareness, timely diagnosis, modern treatment, genetic screening and sustained research on Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).

The event brought together doctors, professors, researchers, medical specialists, academics, civil society representatives, volunteers and families affected by SMA. The symposium served as a platform for discussion on the challenges faced by patients and their families, besides enabling medical professionals and researchers to exchange views on the future of SMA care and research in Pakistan.

Chief Health Sector Reforms Unit (HSRU) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Syed Ejaz Ali Shah, Chairman Zakat and Ushr Council Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Imtiaz Khan and Chairman STRIVE Muhammad Yasir Khan were among the prominent participants. Doctors, medical experts, researchers, representatives of civil society, SMA-affected families and people from different walks of life also attended the gathering.

A key aspect of the symposium was the presence of professors, heads of departments and academic experts from various universities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. They shared their views on SMA, genetic disorders, medical research, recent treatment developments and the future direction of medical science.

International researchers working on SMA also joined the symposium. Experts and researchers from Poland, the United Kingdom and other European countries participated, giving the Pakistan SMA Symposium an international academic and research dimension.

The participation of foreign researchers provided an opportunity to connect efforts being made in Pakistan with international research and developments in the field of SMA. Participants stressed the need for stronger cooperation between Pakistani institutions and international research communities to improve knowledge, diagnosis and care for people living with rare diseases.

Addressing the event, Chief HSRU Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Dr Syed Ejaz Ali Shah paid tribute to parents and families of SMA patients for their resilience and continuous struggle. He said the efforts of families striving for better lives and futures of their children deserved recognition.

Dr Shah said awareness about rare and complex diseases such as SMA should be accompanied by effective support for patients and their families. He also highlighted the importance of collective efforts involving healthcare professionals, families, government institutions and other stakeholders.

Chairman STRIVE Muhammad Yasir Khan said SMA was not only a medical condition but also a wider struggle requiring joint efforts by patients, parents, doctors, researchers, government institutions, media, civil society and social organisations.

He said STRIVE was working to take awareness about SMA to different parts of the country, promote early diagnosis, encourage research and help create better pathways for patients to access treatment and essential healthcare facilities.

Yasir Khan also announced that STRIVE would organise a major SMA Summit on October 30 and 31, 2026, at Tulip Marquee Islamabad. He said the proposed summit would be one of the largest gatherings of its kind in Pakistan and would bring patients, parents, doctors, medical specialists, national and international researchers, policymakers, universities, civil society organisations, volunteers and other relevant stakeholders together under one roof.

During the symposium, speakers discussed the symptoms of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, the importance of timely diagnosis, genetic screening, modern treatment, patient care, research and future strategies for addressing SMA in Pakistan.

Doctors and researchers said early diagnosis, proper medical guidance and access to modern treatment could play an important role in improving the quality of life of children and individuals affected by SMA. They also called for greater public awareness so families could recognise the condition and seek appropriate medical advice at an early stage.

Participants observed that Pakistan needed further work in public awareness, medical facilities, genetic diagnosis, research and policymaking related to SMA. Strengthening these areas, they said, could help provide better support to children living with the condition and their families.

The symposium also highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation among universities, healthcare institutions, researchers, policymakers and international organisations. Participants said such collaboration could help Pakistan benefit from global scientific developments while also encouraging local research into rare diseases.

At the conclusion of the event, participants expressed their commitment to expanding awareness, research and advocacy for the rights and needs of people affected by SMA. They stressed the need to build stronger links among government institutions, universities, the medical community, media, civil society, patients and their families.

The organisers said the Pakistan SMA Symposium 2026 was more than a single event, describing it as an important step towards creating a collective voice and sustained movement for greater awareness, research, early diagnosis and improved support for SMA patients in Pakistan.

The gathering also reflected growing efforts by medical professionals, researchers, families and civil society organisations to bring rare diseases onto the national health agenda and promote a more informed, inclusive and supportive healthcare environment for affected individuals and their families.