Blood delivery by drones across India can soon be a reality - here's how
2 min read . Updated: 11 May 2023, 12:16 PM IST
PremiumThe 'i-DRONE' was first used by ICMR during the Covid-19 pandemic for distributing vaccines to hard-to-reach areas.
The Indian Council of Medical Research successfully conducted a trial run of blood bag delivery by drones under its iDrone initiative. Now, blood delivery through drones can soon be expanded to the whole country, a senior official said on Thursday.
The initiative was in continuance with the national mission of expanding the drone ecosystem in India. The 'i-DRONE' was first used by ICMR during the Covid-19 pandemic for distributing vaccines to hard-to-reach areas, PTI reported.
Dr Rajiv Bahl, the director general of ICMR said, “Today, we are transporting blood and blood-related products which are supposed to be kept at a low temperature. After the experiment, we found that not only can we maintain the temperature but there was also no damage to the products transported."
He said that the apex body sent another sample through an ambulance and if there are no differences in the samples sent using the two modes then drones will be used all over India.
According to the ICMR director general, clarity on challenge mapping and identifying the possible solutions can be achieved by developing indigenous capacities in research and introducing of innovations and technologies in the mainstream, as per PTI reports.
"With digitization, efficient manufacturing of vaccines, and development of a rapid delivery mechanism, India achieved 90 percent coverage within a year. The boost of technology is an accelerator that is gradually pushing India towards achieving the status of being a developed nation," he added.
The inaugural trial flight carried 10 units of whole blood samples between the Government Institute of Medical Sciences, Greater Noida, and Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, in visual line of sight, according to an official statement.
Some countries including Ghana and the US, are already using drones to deliver blood products, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and even organs to remote, rural areas or areas with poor infrastructure.
(With PTI inputs)