Drone-Based Healthcare Network – An experimental effort to use drones to give superior healthcare services to tribal and rural tribes in Odisha’s Kandhamal district was initiated. Redwing, a pioneering startup, would offer ‘Made in India’ electric hybrid Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) drones and conduct end-to-end operations for this trial project. This project in the Kandhamal district is made possible by the generous financial and technical support of the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) healthcare blended financing facility – SAMRIDH, which is administered by IPE Global.
The drone network is being built as an experiment to test airborne healthcare delivery in the state. The network would enable diagnostics, vaccine, and drug deliveries in the district’s rural primary and community health centres. Kandhamal is Odisha’s first district and the country’s first aspirational district to have an integrated healthcare drone network.
This trailblazing effort is the result of numerous stakeholders working together to improve healthcare access in distant communities. This involves the District Administration of Kandhamal, Redwing, and SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Financing Facility funding, as well as B-Medical Systems India as a cold chain partner. The drone network would benefit the Kandhamal populace by providing higher health care in the inner blocks by transporting medical supplies faster than road-based logistics.
Drone-Based Healthcare Network
Mr. Ashish Ishwar Patil, IAS, District Collector, Kandhamal District, highlighted the effect of this programme, saying, “Kandhamal has many hard to reach areas in blocks like Tumudibandha and Kotagarh.” These interior regions have electricity, access, and infrastructural issues. I am confident that drone-based medical delivery would be a game changer in boosting healthcare in such locations. Patients will now have access to the most advanced tests and on-demand medical services. We are committed to serving Kandhamal residents with high-quality healthcare.
Speaking about the collaboration with Redwing, Mr. Himanshu Sikka, Project Director, SAMRIDH and Chief Strategy and Diversification Officer, IPE Global, stated, “SAMRIDH is committed to enabling the scaling-up of innovative solutions to strengthen health systems, with a particular focus on improving healthcare accessibility and affordability for vulnerable populations.” Our relationship with Redwing Labs allows us to address supply-chain issues in the area. The ambitious effort underway in Kandhamal has the potential to have a deep and far-reaching influence on healthcare in this remote location. We really appreciate the government’s essential assistance, which will be critical to the success of this endeavour.
Mr Anshul Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder of Redwing, highlighted the technical components of this initiative, saying, “We are hopeful that this experimental pilot will benefit the rural populations in Kandhamal district.” The pilot will also pave the way for widespread use of drones in the public healthcare system. Electric drones are the most efficient and environmentally friendly mode of transportation, even cleaner than ground-based electric automobiles. We thank the Kandhamal district administration, USAID, SAMRIDH, and B-Medical Systems for their active participation in this initiative.
Mr. Jesal Doshi, CEO, B Medical Systems India, emphasised the critical relevance of the cold chain in this programme, saying, “This project is a remarkable initiative, representing the dawn of a new era of technological advancements in Public Healthcare in India.” Innovative drone technology not only helps to transcend geographical obstacles and unleash healthcare access in rural locations, but it also bridges gaps, guaranteeing that no one is left behind. The cold chain is the initiative’s lifeline, and our role as an official cold chain partner demonstrates our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of vaccines and samples while preserving their integrity and effectiveness as life-saving resources, even in the most challenging environments.
Access to high-quality healthcare in rural and semi-urban areas is difficult. As COVID-19 demonstrated, efficient last-mile supply chains are crucial for ensuring faster access to vaccines, diagnostics, and medical items during public health emergencies. India is also prone to severe weather. When health supply networks are interrupted and ineffective, populations are unable to receive the medical care they require. For more than seven years, drone-based health supply chains have proved success in addressing last-mile delivery difficulties in healthcare systems globally.
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