Indian Govt Uses Drone To Deliver Vaccines In Remote Areas Of Nagaland, Manipur
In the pilot run, the drone was able to successfully deliver vaccines over an aerial distance of 15 kilometres in a matter of 12 to 15 minutes from Bishnupur district hospital to Loktak lake, Karang island in Manipur for administration at the PHC.
The Indian government has launched ICMR¡¯s Drone response and Outreach initiative (i-Drone) to the North East, allowing efficient and responsible delivery of life-saving vaccines in tough and hard-to-reach terrains.
Twitter: @MansukhMandviya
Also Read: IIT Kanpur Trying Faster Drone Delivery Of Covid Vaccines, According To ICMR
Reported first by TOI, as of now, permissions have only been granted for drone-based deliveries in the state of Manipur and Nagaland, as well as the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Island.
In the pilot run, the drone was able to successfully deliver vaccines over an aerial distance of 15 kilometres in a matter of 12 to 15 minutes from Bishnupur district hospital to Loktak lake, Karang island in Manipur for administration at the PHC. Distance between the two locations by road is 26 kilometres long and would otherwise take at least an hour.
ICMR had conducted initial testing in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur to understand the drone¡¯s full potential. Initial testing was done in Manipur, Nagaland and Andaman and Nicobar which showed promising results. We¡¯ve also seen testing to be conducted in several other states including Telangana and Uttarakhand.
Based on these results, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other regulatory bodies granted permission to fly drones beyond the visual line of sight.
Also Read: Telangana Govt Gets Permit For Testing Drone Delivery Of COVID-19 Vaccine
Reuters
Union Health Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya said in a statement, ¡°Our immunisation 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 national programs would help deliver other vaccines and medical supplies as quickly as possible.¡±
Do you think this will help make drone deliveries the norm in the future? Could we also see food or product deliveries using the drone? Tell us in the comments below and keep reading Indiatimes.com for the latest in science and technology news.
