Question : MEDICAL BOARD FOR DISABILITY CERTIFICATE



(a) whether Government propose to set up medical boards in each hospital for issuance of disability certificates to disabled persons under various Acts;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)

(a) to (c) : According to the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Rules, 1996 notified on 31.12.1996 by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and (2) of section 73 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act 1995, authorities to give medical certificates will be a medical board duly constituted by the Central and the State Government. The State Government may constitute a Medical Board consisting of at least three members out of which at least one shall be a specialist in the particular field for assessing locomotor/visual including low vision/hearing and speech disability mental retardation and leprosy cured, as the case may be.

In so far as Central Government are concerned such medical boards already exist in Dr. R.M.L. Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital for issuing disability certificates.