AIIMS Bhubaneswar Makes History with First Drone Delivery of Medical Supplies in India

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India – In a major development for healthcare in India, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has successfully made history by using drones for medical deliveries. On Thursday, a drone carrying essential blood supplies for a pregnant woman at a community health center 70 kilometers away took off from AIIMS Bhubaneswar and completed its journey in record time.

This successful experiment marks a significant milestone in medical logistics, potentially revolutionizing healthcare delivery in remote and disaster-stricken areas.

Details of the Drone Delivery:

The drone carried around 2kg of essential blood supplies for a pregnant woman at the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Tangi.
The drone covered the 70km distance from AIIMS Bhubaneswar to CHC Tangi in a significantly shorter time compared to traditional delivery methods.
Significance of the Initiative:

This successful drone delivery is a proof-of-concept for the potential of using drones in medical logistics.
Drones can overcome geographical barriers and deliver critical medical supplies to remote areas quickly and efficiently.
This can be particularly beneficial during natural disasters when traditional transportation networks are disrupted.
Future Plans:

AIIMS Bhubaneswar plans to regularly use drones for medical deliveries, including vaccines, essential drugs, blood units, and diagnostic samples.
The institute also highlights the potential of drone technology in disaster response situations, ensuring timely delivery of critical medical supplies to remote areas affected by natural calamities.
Quotes:

Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Director, AIIMS Bhubaneswar: “AIIMS Bhubaneswar has made history in India after utilising drone services for superior medical deliveries in Odisha. The successful experiment of drone services today marks the beginning of regular drone-based medical deliveries, including vaccines, essential drugs, blood units, and diagnostic samples. This is a game changer in the field of medical services.”
This successful drone delivery by AIIMS Bhubaneswar is a promising development that could pave the way for wider adoption of drone technology in healthcare delivery across India. The potential benefits of using drones for medical logistics are immense, and this initiative could significantly improve healthcare access for people in remote and underserved areas.