Unexpected Tested Use of Drones in Healthcare Services
“The drone completed the successful journey of 120 km from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to CHC Tangi in just 1.10 hours, carrying the essential blood supplies weighing around 2kg, without encountering any operational issues,” according to sources in AIIMS.
Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, who was present during the trial, stated that efforts are underway across the country to incorporate drone technology into the health sector as part of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s initiative.
He stated that AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, is the first in Odisha to conduct such trials for the use of drone services in the healthcare sector.
“The implementation of drone delivery can improve healthcare services in rural, tribal, and semi-urban areas. These drones can transport a variety of health products, including vaccines, essential drugs, and diagnostic samples.” AIIMS Bhubaneswar, as a leading tertiary healthcare provider, has created this opportunity for the people of Odisha,” Biswas explained.
He went on to say that drone service can play a critical role during any natural disaster by overcoming geographical barriers and ensuring the timely delivery of critical medical supplies to remote areas, such as emergency medicine, blood samples, and blood products.
Notably, the drone used for trail services is capable of carrying loads weighing up to 5 kg and travelling up to 160 kilometres. It can travel 60 kilometres in just 35 minutes.
