Drones set to revolutionize emergency sample reporting in remote areas
Drone test flight conducted for transporting blood samples over 40 kilometres
Raipur, 20 February 2024 .
Leading the charge in innovation, Rajmata Smt. Devendra Kumari Singhdeo Government Medical College, Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, is chosen for the Government of India’s revolutionary “Use of Drone Technology in Health Service Delivery” project.
Under this initiative, blood samples will be collected from the Community Health Center in Udaipur and transported to the Government Medical College via drones for examination. Following analysis, the report will be sent to the Community Health Center in Udaipur.
The first trial of this project was conducted on Monday at the Government Medical College as part of the initial phase. During the trial, the drone successfully transported blood samples and OT culture samples for testing from the Udaipur Community Health Center, located 40 kilometres away from the Medical College, Ambikapur. The drone covered the distance in nearly 30 minutes and safely landed at the Jhirmiti Stadium Ground in Udaipur. The blood sample, weighing approximately 600 grams, was promptly loaded onto the drone within just 15 minutes before being dispatched back to the Medical College, Ambikapur.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Shri Shyam Bihari Jaiswal is actively working to enhance healthcare facilities in the state under the guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai. Recent developments include the appointment of over 250 medical officers and specialist doctors across the state.
This initiative addresses the challenge faced by many remote community health centers in the Surguja and Bastar regions, where certain tests cannot be conducted locally and need to be referred to nearby centers. The introduction of drone technology can significantly benefit patients in such areas.
As part of the project, two members from self-help groups, termed ‘Drone Didis’, were trained in drone operation in Delhi. One Didi is designated for Udaipur, while the other is assigned to Ambikapur for sample loading and unloading. The success of this pilot project could pave the way for its implementation across all districts of the state. Patients in remote areas of the Surguja district will have access to immediate testing and sample reporting facilities through this initiative.
