Bhubaneswar AIIMS Successfully Trials Medical Drones for Remote Healthcare Delivery

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, recently conducted a successful experimental trial utilizing drones for enhanced healthcare services in Odisha. The drone completed a 120km journey from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to Community Health Centre (CHC) Tangi and back in just 1.10 hours, carrying essential blood supplies weighing around 2kg without encountering operational issues.

Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS, emphasized the commitment of the institute to integrate drone technology into the healthcare system. The successful experiment involved not only delivering blood units but also collecting blood samples from CHC to AIIMS. The potential expansion of drone services to include emergency drugs and injections is under consideration.

Dr. Biswas highlighted the significance of drone delivery in boosting healthcare services in rural, tribal, and semi-urban locations. AIIMS Bhubaneswar sees the induction of drones as a game changer, particularly benefiting those residing far from the institute, overcoming geographical barriers during natural disasters and ensuring timely delivery of critical medical supplies.

The drone used in the trial can carry up to 5kg and travel up to 160km. With a three-hour usage capacity, it covers a radial distance of 200km at 35km per hour. Costing around Rs 9-10 lakh, these drones offer a potential solution for enhancing healthcare accessibility in difficult-to-reach areas, such as remote geographical terrains or flooded regions.

Sources reveal that the Odisha government is considering extensive drone use for vaccine delivery, particularly in remote areas like Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Koraput district, and other parts. Drones have been previously employed for disinfecting marketplaces during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020-21.

Beyond healthcare, these technologically advanced drones offer diverse services, including railways, road services, infrastructure, engineering, security and surveillance, river mapping, forest services, and wildlife surveys. Officials also mention the potential use of drones for border security, surveillance purposes, and locating Maoist hideouts in forest areas.

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