Empirical data points out that there is a significant need of physical rehabilitation services for people with physical disabilities in Pakistan. It appears that 10% of Pakistan's population suffers from one or other forms of disabilities. Hence, the need for assistive devices are on the rise due to increasing non-communicable diseases, for example increase of road and with agriculture machinery accidents, natural disasters, violence related incidents, , poliomyelitis (polio), diabetes and congenital diseases (cerebral palsy) etc. which have exposed us all equally to a grave risk of sustaining a physical disability.

The probability of incidence of physical disabilities is not just limited to a particular group or community of the society but rather the risk is even more prevalent than it was a few decades ago. In fact, as suggested by the existing research, every 2 out 3 people having acute diabetes, are at risk being limb-amputated as a life-saving procedure. In this setting, up to 1-2million persons with physical disabilities exist in Pakistan, out of which approximately only 10% have access to physical rehabilitation services.

This lack of access is intrinsically linked with the absence of existing structural and socio-political barriers than the disability itself. The hindrances in the way of accessing physical rehabilitation, range from lack of state sensitization to integrate provision of prosthetic and orthotic services into mainstream healthcare, limited number of rehab schools and unfavorable work conditions for rehab professionals, and dominance of high priced imports in the disability market, to a lack of general awareness on the rights of PWDs. Rigorous action is the need of the hour to address these problems with an iron-fist and integrate all persons with physical disabilities into the mainstream.

Today, prosthetic and orthotic service provision in Pakistan is wedged with international donor support, mainly the ICRC, and a humble part of the public sector. High prices of P&O devices, services and imports, further hinder quality and access to rehabilitation. If we put things into perspective, a mere limitation to mobility marginalizes the PwDs from mainstream life, stripping all sense of dignity from them. Being a signatory to the UNCRPD, it is our responsibility as responsible citizens of Pakistan to promote accessibility and inclusion and to diffuse the hostility surrounding disabilities. With little empathy, we need to embrace diversity. The Rehab Initiative as a national platform to address rehabilitation issues through  its five focus areas (supply chain, capacity building, advocacy & awareness, research & development and of specialized service provision) is the most comprehensive answer to resolve the limitations of the current physical rehabilitation system in Pakistan and make it accessible to all, creating better prospects of life for PWDs, by changing their status from being passive receivers to active contributors of the society.


Chief Executive Officer
Rehab Initiative.