OPAI petition seeks AB-PMJAY coverage for prosthetic and orthotic treatments

Team L&M

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 cover Prosthetic and Orthotic (P&O) treatments. The petition is backed by disability advocates, amputee groups, and healthcare professionals. It will be formally submitted to the Prime Minister in the next few weeks.

AB-PMJAY has greatly improved healthcare access for vulnerable groups, but currently excludes prosthetic and orthotic treatments, leaving millions of disabled Indians without essential mobility and rehabilitation support. The 2023-24 Annual Report from the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities estimates 2.68 crore people with disabilities in India. This means about 2.21% of the population is disabled. Locomotor disabilities are the largest group, making up around 44.7% of all disabilities, according to recent NFHS-5 data and studies. This is a sharp rise from the 2018 NSSO survey’s figure of 61 lakh, highlighting the urgent need for better access to assistive devices and inclusive healthcare.

Restoring Mobility, a Fundamental Right

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, submitted by the OPAI and a representative amputee group of 12, highlights proven state-level models, such as Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, which has successfully provided advanced prosthetics to over 1,000 beneficiaries for several years. Global research demonstrates that every ₹1 invested in assistive technology returns up to ₹9 in productivity and economic empowerment. Yet, only 23% of PwDs in India are currently employed, compared to 47% of the general population.

The campaign will use the upcoming World Para Athletics Championships 2025 as a public platform, inviting signatories nationwide to join this appeal ahead of the petition’s planned submission to the Prime Minister.

Key Demands of the Petition:

• Inclusion of P&O Devices: Add prosthetic limbs, orthotic braces, spinal and foot supports, and wheelchairs (as listed in the National List of Essential Assistive Devices) under AB-PMJAY.

• Dedicated Rehabilitation Packages: Create a sub-package covering rehabilitation and post-operative care for amputees and persons with locomotor disabilities.

• Empanelment of Accredited P&O Centres: Standardise service delivery through pre-approved P&O providers for assessment, fitting, and follow-up.

• Seamless Integration: Enable P&O centres to work in partnership with AB-PMJAY-empanelled hospitals to ensure smooth delivery and comprehensive care.

This OPAI-led initiative echoes India’s commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially “Good Health and Well-Being” (SDG 3) and “Reduced Inequalities” (SDG 10), and seeks to initiate a novel policy shift for millions of Indians awaiting the right to dignity and mobility. For more information about the campaign, participation, or to register support, please visit OPAI’s official website.