(THE GIST OF PIB) iDrone Initiative: Trial Run of Blood Bag Delivery

(May-2023)

The trial run of blood bag delivery was successfully conducted under iDrone initiative.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Union Health Ministry successfully conducted a trial run of blood bag delivery by drones under iDrone initiative.
The inaugural trial flight carried 10 units of whole blood samples from GIMS (Government Institute of Medical Sciences), Greater Noida and LHMC (Lady Hardinge Medical College), New Delhi.
LHMC and GIMS are included as centres for supplying blood bags and testing the samples, while JIIT (Jaypee Institute of Information Technology) is acting as the implementation centre for drone sorties. The protocol development, study designing, implementation, and coordination of the project are being undertaken by scientists from ICMR headquarters.
With the relaxation of Drone rules-2022, the government has provided a ground for innovative uses of drones in various sectors like agriculture, health care, disaster relief and defence.
i-Drone was first used during the pandemic by ICMR for distributing vaccines to unreachable regions of the country. ICMR has been a pioneer in using drones for healthcare purposes. The boost of technology is an accelerator which is gradually pushing India towards achieving the goal of being a developed nation by 2047.