A drone-based vaccine delivery model for Northeast states developed by ICMR aims at ensuring that life-saving vaccines reach everyone.
New Delhi: In a landmark event in a bid to improve healthcare accessibility and epitomise the Centre’s commitment to ‘Antyodaya’, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched ICMR’s Drone Response and Outreach (i-Drone) on Monday.
A drone-based vaccine delivery model for Northeast states developed by ICMR aims at ensuring that life-saving vaccines reach everyone.
Launching the initiative, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, “India is home to geographical diversities and drones can be used to deliver essentials to the last mile. We can use drones in delivering important life-saving medicines, collecting blood samples. This technology can also be used in critical situations. This technology may prove a game changer in addressing the challenges in health care delivery, particularly health supplies in difficult areas.”
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“This is for the first time that a ‘Make in India’ drone has been used in South Asia to transport Covid vaccine over an aerial distance of 15 km in 12-15 mins from the Bishnupur district hospital to Loktak lake, Karang island in Manipur for administration at the primary health centre. The actual road distance between these locations is 26 k.m. Today, 10 beneficiaries will receive the first dose and 8 will receive the second dose at the PHC,’’ said the Minister.
He further added, “Our immunization program for Covid-19 have already exceeded all expectations. I strongly believe that this initiative will further help us achieve the highest possible immunization coverage for Covid-19. Incorporating such drone technologies into the national programs would help deliver other vaccines and medical supplies as quickly as possible.”
The i-Drone has been designed to overcome these challenges by deploying Unmanned Aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones to remote areas and hard-to-reach terrains.
The drone-based delivery project, currently has been granted permission for implementation in Manipur and Nagaland, as well as Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
