Parliament Question: Rehabilitation, Palliative Care and Multidisciplinary Support for Divyangjans

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT DEPARTMENT OF EMPOWRERMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILTIES (DIVYANGJAN) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1563 TO BE ANSWERED ON – 28/07/2026 REHABILITATION, PALLIATIVE CARE AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY SUPPORT FOR DIVYANGJANS 1563. Sh. M K Raghavan: Will the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment be pleased to state: (a) the details of financial assistance, free medicines, rehabilitation services, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and palliative care being provided to differently abled children under various Central Government schemes; (b) whether the Government proposes to establish dedicated multidisciplinary paediatric rehabilitation and palliative care centres in Government hospitals across the country, particularly at the district level, if so, the details thereof; and (c) the steps taken to strengthen follow-up care for high-risk new-borns and differently abled children so as to reduce disability and improve their quality of life? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B. L. VERMA) (a): The details of various Central Government schemes under which financial assistance, free medicines, rehabilitation services, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and palliative care are being provided to differently abled children are as under: i. CDEIC( Cross Disability early intervention sub-scheme) under SIPDA, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD): The CDEIC sub-scheme provides screening, early identification, referral, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and parental/peer counselling for children with disabilities in the 0–6 years age group. The scheme does not provide direct financial assistance. ii. Scholarship Scheme for Students with Disabilities, DEPwD: The scheme provides financial assistance through six scholarship components—Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Top Class, National Fellowship, National Overseas Scholarship and Free Coaching. During 1the last five years, scholarships amounting to ₹636.74 crore have been disbursed to 1,73,585 students with disabilities. iii. Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids/Appliances (ADIP) Scheme, DEPwD: The scheme provides modern aids and appliances to children with disabilities to improve their functional capabilities. It does not provide direct financial assistance. iv. Disha and Vikaas Schemes implemented by National Trust: The Disha and Vikaas schemes provide physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy services for children with disabilities. No direct financial assistance is provided under these schemes. v. National Health Mission (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: Under NHM, States and Union Territories receive technical and financial support to strengthen public healthcare services. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs provide comprehensive healthcare services, while the Free Drugs Service Initiative (FDSI) ensures free essential medicines and helps reduce out-of-pocket expenditure. (b): No such proposal is under consideration at present. (c): The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) is implementing the Cross Disability Early Intervention Centre (CDEIC) sub-scheme under the Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (SIPDA). The CDEICs provide screening, early identification, referral, therapeutic services (Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy) and parental/peer counselling for children with disabilities in the 0–6 years age group. Follow-up care is strengthened through robust referral networks, multidisciplinary early intervention, developmental monitoring, individualized rehabilitation plans, regular therapy, caregiver training, digital follow-up tools, frontline worker capacity building, community awareness, and coordinated rehabilitation services, ensuring continuity of care and improved developmental outcomes. ***** 2