Speaking with this newspaper, Dr Sumit Aggarwal, Scientist and Program office incharge I-Drone, ICMR, and first author of the study, said, “Building on the learnings from this feasibility study, we are now planning to initiate pilot implementation in coordination with the National Blood Transfusion Council, particularly targeting regions with difficult terrain where timely access to blood can be lifesaving. Further, this will help in making operational guidelines.”The study says, considering India’s diverse and distinct geographical variations, last-mile service deliveries of healthcare supplies face multiple challenges. “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones are emerging technologies with the potential to leapfrog the last-mile logistics solution for transporting medical supplies, thus strengthening the overall healthcare system,” the study read.“This study suggests that the blood and its components can be transported safely by drone following standard guidelines, which could be helpful, particularly in delivering blood in emergencies and difficult terrains,” it added.Highlighting that the travel time for blood and its components – critical for life-saving transfusions but often with limited availability at remote locations – was reduced by half via use of drones, the study said, “It strongly reinforces the feasibility and safety of using drones for blood delivery.”The study indicates that drones can act as an effective tool for bridging the gap between blood supply and demand, ensuring that more patients receive the crucial blood support when it is needed.
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