Following success of its pilot projects envisaging usage of drones to deliver medicines in the country’s inaccessible and remote terrains during Covid-19 crisis, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has now issued guidance documents to streamline services of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for healthcare.
Medical supplies load up to 6 kg including BCG, measles and Covid-19 vaccines, which can be stored between 2°C and 8°C, along with tablets, capsules, syrups in bottles, gloves and syringes can be transported safely by drones, as per the document.
The ICMR took to Twitter to announce the release of their ‘Guidance Document for use of Drones in Healthcare’. The guidebook was released during the Bharat Drone Mahotsav 2022 that was held on May 27 and May 28.
The ICMR said they had conducted field research in Healthcare delivery by drones from Manipur to Nagaland. This field experience formed the basis of the guidance document.
Following the success of the same exercise, wherein the medical supplies delivered under i-Drone project included Covid-19 vaccines, vaccines used routine immunisation programs, antenatal care medicines, multi-vitamins, syringes and gloves, the guidance book has been released, said an official from the ICMR.
The document emulates the regulatory approvals required from competent authorities and the air space related issues are highlighted. The book also talks about selecting drones and choosing their take-off and landing sites. Step-by-step preparation of carrier boxes and loading and unloading procedures are also described.
The study which was conducted in Manipur, Nagaland and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands provided promising results, on the basis of which the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other regulatory authorities granted permission to fly drones beyond the Visual Line Of Sight, said the official.