Medical interventions are stepping stones towards an enabling and empowering environment for children and people with disability. Between 60% to 70% of people with disability require medical and para-medical interventions. Subsequent to medical treatment, the improved functional ability and independent mobility make children and people with disability more receptive to educational and empowering programmes. The increased levels of confidence, stemming from improved health, further pave the way for mainstreaming. 

Medical interventions include testing for disability, psychiatric counseling, physiotherapy or surgery, and support in rehabilitation help to address the different types of disability including cerebral palsy, speech or hearing impairments, and different types of locomotor disability. Timely screening can prevent disability, or arrest its extent by through diagnosis and treatment. 

APD’s linkages serve as the bridge between children and people with disability and medical institutions situated in urban, rural or semi-urban areas. The linkages help to ensure that imperative medical interventions are within reach for people with disabilities living in the area. APD’s community based workers, and field functionaries sensitize children and persons with disabilities about the benefits and availability of medical services in the area. Linkages vary depending upon the nature of disability.

For example, Bangalore based NIMHANS and St Johns are referrals for rehabilitation care for spinal injury and mental health requirements. Similarly, St Philomenia, K C General Hospital, Scindia hospital (all Bangalore based) are referrals for surgical interventions for locomotor disability. 

Medical linkages, especially with Government hospitals, become more significant as the Department of Health does not consider disability as an issue under health management. Therefore, APD’s linkages are influencing the health sector to engage in disability management. Linkages also exist with Primary Health Care Centres and maternity hospitals to enable the early screening of new born babies to identify early incidence of disability. APD’s functionaries work closely with ANM (need the full form), midwives and other field based medical staff to train them on the needs of disability. 

Thus, APDs medical linkages have led to bringing children and people with disability closer to the health system, as it has created awareness about the existence and benefits of services in their area and supported them in their access.