The Orthotics and Prosthetics Association of India (OPAI) on Thursday highlighted innovation, accessibility, professional recognition and employment opportunities in the field of rehabilitation and assistive technology at a programme marking International Prosthetist and Orthotist Day 2026.
The programme, organised by OPAI’s Delhi chapter at the National Rail Museum in Chanakyapuri here, brought together senior government officials, policymakers, healthcare professionals, academicians, start-ups and established companies, a press statement said.
International Prosthetist and Orthotist Day is celebrated annually on November 5.
The discussions focused on the institutional transformation of the Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), the Department’s Purple Dot Initiative, the contribution of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to engineering innovation, government schemes, professional recognition and employment opportunities in India and abroad.
Praveen Kumar, Chairman and Managing Director of ALIMCO, a government undertaking under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, highlighted the importance of collaboration and effective implementation of government initiatives to strengthen India’s rehabilitation ecosystem.
“The future of rehabilitation lies in combining technological innovation with affordability and accessibility, ensuring that advanced assistive solutions reach those who need them the most,” he said.
Ashish Thakare, Member Secretary of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), highlighted the Purple Dot Initiative and the importance of professional recognition, quality education, training and standards in rehabilitation services.
M C Das, National President of OPAI, emphasised that greater awareness and outreach are essential to ensure that persons with disabilities benefit from various government schemes and welfare programmes.
Rajesh Das, president of OPAI’s Delhi chapter, highlighted the role of the railway sector in accessible and inclusive mobility and stressed the need for stronger domestic and international recruitment policies to expand career opportunities for qualified prosthetists and orthotists.
Shambhu Kumar Yadav, vice president of OPAI’s Delhi chapter, emphasised that emerging technologies must move beyond laboratories and reach persons with disabilities at the grassroots level through affordable and accessible solutions.
Agendra Kumar, organising secretary of International Prosthetist and Orthotist Day 2026 and secretary of OPAI’s Delhi chapter, called for stronger coordination between professionals, government, healthcare institutions and beneficiaries.
“Our objective must go beyond providing artificial limbs and assistive devices; it must be about restoring mobility, rebuilding confidence, promoting independence and enabling every individual to live with dignity,” he said.
The event witnessed participation from several start-ups and established companies showcasing innovations in assistive technology and rehabilitation.
Discussions covered job fairs and live interviews, entrepreneurship and incubation, international career opportunities, government-industry collaboration and advanced technologies, including bionic prosthetics, microprocessor-controlled systems, 3D printing, robotics, artificial intelligence and smart rehabilitation solutions.
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