TBILISI, April 18 – The opposition rallied in central Tbilisi on Saturday for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Protesters demanded access to medicine and signaled a new round of continuous demonstrations from Monday.
The march moved from the Philharmonic Hall to the parliament building under the slogan, “Give medicine to children with Duchenne,” according to Interpressnews. Participants said they were showing support for the parents of children diagnosed with Duchenne.
One of the organizers, Kakha Tsikarishvili, said the parents of children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy would begin a continuous protest outside the government administration starting April 20.
The issue is highly emotional because Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe disease that mainly affects boys and causes progressive muscle weakness. The condition usually begins around age four and worsens quickly. Most patients are unable to walk by about age 12. The condition has no known cure, though several drugs designed to address its root cause are now available, alongside other treatments used to slow damage or manage symptoms.
