The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhubaneswar, on Tuesday conducted a successful experimental trial of utilising drones to provide superior healthcare services in Odisha.

The drone completed the successful journey of 120km from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to Community Health Centre (CHC) Tangi and back in just 1.10 hours, carrying the essential blood supplies weighing around 2kg, without encountering any operational issues.

Launching this service, Executive Director, AIIMS, Dr Ashutosh Biswas reiterated the commitment of the national institute to develop a model to integrate the technology into the healthcare system as a supplement to existing logistics methods and suggest ways for the long-term sustainability of drone-based delivery of medical supplies.

He said: “We have successfully carried out the experiments. The drone not only delivered the blood units but also collected blood samples from the CHC to AIIMS. We are also considering the option to deliver emergency drugs and injections through the drone service.”

Dr Biswas said: “Induction of drone delivery can boost the healthcare services in rural, tribal, and semi-urban locations.

“These drones can carry multiple 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.”

Stating that the experiment would turn out to be a game changer in the field of medical services given to the poor living far off from the AIIMS, Dr Biswas said: “The successful trial run would certainly encourage us to find ways in which drone service could benefit the health care system. Drone service can play a pivotal role during any natural disaster, overcoming geographical barriers and ensuring timely delivery of critical medical supplies to remote areas like emergency medicine, blood samples, blood products etc.

On Tuesday, the drone used for the trail services can carry up to 5kg and can travel up to 160km. This service can be used to enhance the accessibility of healthcare services for people residing in difficult-to-reach areas like remote geographical terrains or flooded areas.

A source said long-range drones can be used for three hours. The airborne drone can cover a radial distance of 200km and travel 35km per hour. Sources said the cost of one drone would come to around Rs 9-10 lakh.

Official sources said the Odisha government is also contemplating to use drones in extensive ways to send the vaccines to the remotest part, particularly in Kalahandi, Malkangiri, Koraput district and other parts.

“We had also done some experiments earlier. We had used drones extensively to disinfect marketplaces to reduce human interface amid a covid 19 outbreak in 2020-21,” officials said.

The technologically advanced, well-equipped drones offer a plethora of services, including railways, road services, infrastructure, engineering, security and surveillance, river mapping services, forest services, and forest and wild surveys.

“The drones can be used for border security and surveillance purposes and can also locate Maoists hide-outs in forest areas,” officials said.