As the ICRC enters the concluding phase of its Physical Rehabilitation Programme (PRP) in India – partners, authorities, rehabilitation professionals, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and other stakeholders gathered in New Delhi for the first roundtable on the programme’s impact assessment. Held on 1–2 June 2026, this two-day consultation marked the beginning of a broader process to reflect on more than two decades of collaboration with diverse partners in the rehabilitation and disability sector and to identify lessons that can inform future efforts.

For over 22 years, the ICRC’s PRP in India has worked with local partners to enhance access to high quality physical rehabilitation services. Through partnerships with rehabilitation centres, government institutions, technical experts, and organizations supporting persons with disabilities, the programme has supported the delivery of prosthetic and orthotic services, physiotherapy, assistive devices, capacity-building initiatives, and social inclusion activities. While implementation has been led by the partners, the PRP has focused on strengthening systems, building local capacities, and promoting sustainability.

The roundtable served as an important platform for partners to reflect on collaborative activities, share valuable feedback, and chart the future course of partnerships. It also provided an opportunity to assess the programme’s impact through the perspectives of those directly involved, including PwDs, in its implementation and outcomes. With representation from esteemed institutions such as Government Medical College, Jammu; Bone and Joint hospital Srinagar, VMS Srinagar, CMC Vellore; Mobility India and Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) Gujarat State branch, alongside organizations like the Wheelchair Basketball Federation of India (WBFI), the Paralympic Committee of India, Motivation India and Youth4Jobs, the event fostered a rich exchange of field insights and success stories of PwDs.

Structured discussions, organized around beneficiary, technical, institutional, and policy levels, enabled participants to evaluate achievements, address challenges, and identify opportunities for further progress. Key themes such as access, quality, social inclusion, and sustainability were at the forefront, with partners presenting models for long-term impact. Panels on capacity building, system strengthening, and disability inclusion featured prominent stakeholders, including Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), World Health Organization (WHO), Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute For Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDUNIPPD), Indian Association of Physiotherapists (IAP), Orthotics & Prosthetics Association of India (OPAI) and v-shesh.Macro-level discussions highlighted inter-sectoral collaboration, affordable innovation, and last-mile delivery with contributions from organizations like Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India (ALIMCO), Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ), National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), AT Scale and Bharat Centre for Olympics Research and Education (BCORE) underscoring the collective commitment to advancing assistive technology and strengthening support systems for long-term sustainability.

Paving the way forward: lessons, outcomes, and sustainability

The roundtable served as a platform to reflect on key lessons from the programme’s transition and phase-out process, with a focus on sustainability planning, resource mobilization, and fostering local ownership to ensure the programme’s achievements are sustained beyond its conclusion. The insights, success stories, and experiences shared by partners provided valuable guidance that can inform the ICRC’s global physical rehabilitation efforts in diverse humanitarian contexts. These contributions will support initiatives aimed at strengthening national systems through partnerships, capacity-building, and institutional development.

While the discussions do not represent a final evaluation, the feedback gathered will play a crucial role in the ongoing impact assessment and the final consultation planned for October 2026. Looking ahead, the ICRC sees this transition not as the conclusion of its role, but as an opportunity to build on the programme’s legacy. By collaborating with partners, institutions, and authorities in India and globally, the ICRC aims to ensure the programme’s long-term impact is preserved and its successes are leveraged to shape future initiatives.