The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recently unveiled a new initiative, the Drone-Based vaccine delivery model named ‘Drone Response and Outreach in North East’ (i-Drone). This launch is not only significant for its innovative approach, but also because it represents a major step forward in ensuring the availability of life-saving vaccines to every corner of the country.
Understanding the I-Drone Project
The term ‘drone’, as used here, refers to the Unmanned Aircraft (UA), a technology that includes three subsets: Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Autonomous Aircraft, and Model Aircraft. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is at the helm of this groundbreaking project. Their main goal is to ensure that vaccines reach most remote areas of the country, which are otherwise difficult to access. Currently, this drone delivery model has received authorization for implementation in Manipur and Nagaland, along with the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Island. The ICMR, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, has been given the nod to conduct a feasibility study on delivering Covid-19 vaccines using drones.
The Significance of Drone-driven Vaccine Delivery
The vaccine delivery model provided by i-Drone has the potential to bridge existing gaps in the current vaccine distribution mechanisms. It’s not just about transporting vaccines; this novel technology can also be employed in delivering essential, life-saving medicines and collecting blood samples. The utility of drones extends to critical and emergency situations too. It possesses the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, particularly when addressing challenges in supply delivery to hard-to-reach areas.
Other Drone-based Projects
This is not the first instance of drones being used for public welfare in India. The government of Telangana has selected 16 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) for pilot testing ‘Medicine from the sky’, a pioneering project in its own right. Additionally, the International Crops Research Institute (ICRISAT) has secured permission to use drones for agricultural research activities. This permission extends to several agricultural universities and educational institutions as well.
About Indian Council of Medical Research
The ICMR is India’s premier body responsible for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research. Its primary mandate comprises conducting, coordinating, and implementing medical research that benefits society at large. A crucial part of its role involves translating medical innovations into viable products or processes and integrating them into the public health system. The Government of India, through the Department of Health Research and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, funds the ICMR.
