India’s health policy for persons with disabilities has made significant progress, yet it remains far from truly inclusive, especially when compared to nations with strong social welfare frameworks like Sweden, Canada, and Australia. Despite the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, which mandates non-discrimination in healthcare, critical gaps persist in accessibility, affordability, and specialized services.
Unlike developed nations that seamlessly integrate disability-inclusive policies into their universal healthcare systems, India’s approach remains fragmented. Limited funding, a shortage of trained professionals, and inadequate infrastructure further widen the disparity. Many individuals with disabilities, particularly in rural areas, struggle to access rehabilitation services, assistive technologies, and mental health support. Moreover, preventive healthcare measures tailored to disabilities remain largely underdeveloped.
Bridging this gap requires a holistic, inclusive health policy. Integrating disability care into primary healthcare, expanding insurance coverage, and increasing investments in assistive technologies are crucial steps. Funding must go beyond infrastructure to include capacity-building for healthcare professionals, ensuring disability-sensitive care. Collaboration with the private sector and NGOs can accelerate innovation and service delivery. Additionally, a national push toward digital health solutions can enhance accessibility and outreach. By prioritizing inclusivity and increasing financial commitment, India can set a benchmark for developing economies in equitable healthcare.
In an exclusive conversation with The Interview World, Smitha Sadasivan—Senior Advisor on Inclusive Health Policy at the Disability Rights India Foundation and a member of the Global Patient Think Tank—shares sharp insights. She assesses how India’s health policy for persons with disabilities compares to those of other developing nations, outlines key recommendations for policymakers to enhance rehabilitation and support systems, and examines the scale of disability-related challenges in India. She also underscores the urgent need for increased funding and resource allocation to effectively address these issues. Here are the key takeaways from her compelling discussion.
Q: How does India’s inclusive health policy for persons with disabilities compare to those of other developing countries in terms of accessibility, affordability, and implementation?
A: Right now, we have made no real progress because there is no truly inclusive health policy. The existing policy claims to be inclusive simply because it applies to the general public. However, genuine inclusivity requires addressing the specific barriers faced by persons with disabilities and marginalized communities. These groups need targeted measures to remove obstacles and ensure full participation in the system. Without such a focus, the current health system lacks any real inclusivity.
There are only a few isolated programs that address disability-specific health concerns, such as the blindness and deafness control programs. However, these initiatives are primarily preventive. They do not account for long-term care, maintenance, or support.
For individuals living with any of the 21 recognized disabilities or a non-communicable disease (NCD), the system fails to answer critical questions: How do they maintain their health? How do they prevent further deterioration? How do they ensure stability? The health system completely overlooks these aspects—especially rehabilitation, which remains a glaring gap.
Q: What key recommendations would you offer to policymakers to enhance rehabilitation and support systems for persons with disabilities in India?
A: Policymakers must prioritize inclusive and equitable healthcare. First, they need to embed inclusivity at the core of health policies. Second, they must involve vulnerable communities from the very beginning—during planning, policymaking, implementation, and monitoring. Community participation at all four stages is essential to create a truly inclusive system. Third, the government must commit to substantial investment. Grand visions mean nothing without adequate funding.
Within this funding, accessibility must be a non-negotiable component. Health programs—whether designed for the general public or specifically for persons with disabilities—must integrate accessibility at every level. For instance, meetings must include sign language interpreters, accessible communication formats for individuals with hearing or visual impairments, and accommodations for those with intellectual disabilities.
Every government initiative—whether related to information, programs, or services—must incorporate accessibility. Moreover, this inclusion must be properly budgeted to ensure sustainable implementation.
Q: How significant is the issue of disabilities in India in terms of the number of affected individuals and the key challenges they face?
A: The government still lacks accurate and comprehensive data on disability. As a result, we have no clear understanding of the true scale of the issue. The current reference point remains the 2011 Census, which estimates that 2.21% of the population has some form of disability. However, this figure is widely underestimated.
At the time, many individuals with disabilities were excluded due to systemic barriers that were never addressed during data collection. Additionally, the 2011 Census only recognized seven types of disabilities. In contrast, the 2016 Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act expanded the definition to 21 disabilities, along with other emerging conditions.
Relying on outdated census figures distorts reality. The government must collect fresh, disaggregated data on persons with disabilities. Only then can we grasp the true magnitude of the issue and design large-scale, effective solutions.
Q: What level of funding or resource allocation is required to effectively address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in India, and should specialized financial mechanisms be created to support this cause?
A: The Universal Health Coverage (UHC) 2030 movement advocates for allocating at least 5–6% of GDP to the health sector. This figure represents the bare minimum required to build a robust healthcare system. If the government commits to this level of funding, at least 2% of GDP should be dedicated to addressing the needs of vulnerable communities.
According to the World Health Organization, 16% of the global population lives with some form of disability. Funding allocations must reflect this reality. A proportional 16% of the total health budget should be directed toward healthcare services, accessibility, and support systems for persons with disabilities.
Q: Within India’s 6-7% allocation for the health sector, what proportion is dedicated to persons with disabilities and their rehabilitation?
A: The budget allocation for healthcare remains critically low. Each year, it either stagnates or declines, offering no real progress. Funding for disability-specific services follows the same pattern—at best, it remains unchanged from the previous year; at worst, it gets reduced. This cycle continues with every budget, leaving persons with disabilities underserved and neglected.
