- Surgeries performed for free under the Central government’s Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances (ADIP) scheme.
- The ADIP Scheme, in operation since 1981, aims to assist persons with disabilities (PwDs) by providing durable, scientifically manufactured aids and appliances.
- These devices promote physical, social, and psychological rehabilitation, improve independent functioning, reduce the impact of disabilities, and enhance economic potential.
- Assistive devices provided under the scheme must be certified, and corrective surgeries, if needed, are conducted before providing the devices.
- Grants-in-aid are released to implementing agencies like ALIMCO, National Institutes, Composite Regional Centres, and NGOs for purchasing and distributing these aids.
- Under the ADIP scheme, the government provides up to ₹7 lakh for implants for children with pre-lingual hearing loss (ages 1-5) and ₹6 lakh for those with acquired hearing loss (ages 5-18).
Dig Deeper: Read about Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan.