By
The Orthotics and Prosthetics Association of India (OPAI) has filed a petition urging the Government of India to expand the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to include Prosthetic and Orthotic (P&O) treatments. The move, supported by disability advocates, amputee groups, and healthcare professionals, seeks to provide essential mobility and rehabilitation support for millions of Indians with disabilities.
While AB-PMJAY has significantly improved healthcare access for vulnerable groups, prosthetic and orthotic treatments are currently excluded. According to the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities’ 2023-24 Annual Report, India has an estimated 2.68 crore people with disabilities, or 2.21% of the population. Locomotor disabilities account for 44.7% of all disabilities, highlighting the need for better access to assistive devices and inclusive healthcare.
Markanda Chandra Das, President, Orthotics and Prosthetics Association of India (OPAI), said, “Restoring mobility is a fundamental right tied to an individual’s dignity, productivity, and future. The reform we advocate will allow India’s PwDs to participate fully in education, work, and society, strengthening the very spirit of Viksit Bharat 2047 and the Accessible India Campaign. Inclusion of advanced prosthetic and orthotic care under AB-PMJAY will help fulfil both the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act and India’s commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.”
The petition cites successful state-level examples, such as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, which has provided advanced prosthetics to over 1,000 beneficiaries. It also references global research showing that every ₹1 invested in assistive technology can generate up to ₹9 in productivity and economic empowerment. Despite this, only 23% of persons with disabilities in India are employed, compared to 47% of the general population.
The campaign will leverage the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships 2025 as a platform to raise awareness and gather nationwide support before submitting the petition to the Prime Minister.
Key demands of the petition include:
- Inclusion of prosthetic limbs, orthotic braces, spinal and foot supports, and wheelchairs under AB-PMJAY.
- Dedicated rehabilitation packages for amputees and persons with locomotor disabilities.
- Empanelment of accredited P&O centres to standardise service delivery.
- Integration of P&O centres with AB-PMJAY-empanelled hospitals for comprehensive care.
The initiative aligns with India’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly “Good Health and Well-Being” (SDG 3) and “Reduced Inequalities” (SDG 10). OPAI aims for the policy shift to secure dignity, mobility, and greater opportunities for millions of Indians with disabilities.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is India’s flagship public health insurance scheme launched in 2018 to provide cashless and paperless healthcare services to economically vulnerable families. It offers health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across empaneled public and private hospitals. The scheme is part of the broader Ayushman Bharat program, aiming to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and ensure universal health coverage for millions of citizens.
.png "Gaza Fund (1)")
