AIIMS Bhubaneswar has used a drone to transport a blood bag from the institute to a community health centre (CHC) in Khordha district of Odisha, covering a distance of 60km in 35 minutes, an official said.

The inaugural drone flight on Thursday marked the first-ever drone-assisted blood delivery not only in Odisha but also in the country, the institute claimed in a statement.

Ashutosh Biswas, executive director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, said: “Delivering a blood bag to a patient through a drone has been successfully conducted for the first time. This initiative represents a significant leap in integrating technology into our healthcare system. It also collected blood samples from the CHC before returning to AIIMS.

The drone service will help a lot in the delivery of critical medical items during natural disasters like floods and cyclones, he said.

The 12kg drone, equipped to carry medical loads ranging from 2 to 5kg, achieved a speed of 90km per hour during the mission. Utilising GPS technology, the drone demonstrated exceptional precision in navigation, ensuring the timely and secure delivery of essential medical supplies.

The drone health service will play a crucial role in emergencies, facilitating the rapid delivery of drugs, injections, and other vital medical supplies, officials said.

This innovative approach not only enhances healthcare delivery during emergencies but also positions AIIMS Bhubaneswar as a leader in leveraging technology for the betterment of public health.

The institution is committed to exploring and implementing advancements that elevate the standards of healthcare services, they said.

Skye Air Mobility, a private SaaS-based autonomous logistics solution provider, is providing the drone service to AIIMS Bhubaneswar.