In a groundbreaking step for India’s healthcare system, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has successfully transported corneal tissue using drones. This operation took place between the Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital in Sonipat and the National Cancer Institute at AIIMS Jhajjar, later reaching AIIMS New Delhi.
The ICMR’s pilot project is part of its "i-DRONE" initiative aimed at using drones for quick and safe delivery of sensitive medical materials. It represents an important advancement in the way corneal tissue can be transported, potentially saving sight for many.
Transporting corneal tissue quickly is crucial because the viability of these donations is time-sensitive. Delays can compromise the quality, making it harder for patients to undergo surgery. Drones offer a swift alternative to road transportation, cutting down the travel time from about 2.5 hours to just 40 minutes while keeping tissues in optimal conditions.
Over recent years, the i-DRONE initiative has already shown success in delivering medical supplies across various challenging locations in India, including vaccines and surgical samples. With these efforts, drones are proving to be a game changer in healthcare logistics, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, director general of ICMR, emphasized how drone delivery can enhance patient access to essential treatments. The program aligns with India’s push for innovative solutions in healthcare under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Piyush Srivastava from the Ministry of Civil Aviation noted the importance of collaboration between healthcare and technology sectors. He stressed that drones could provide scalable solutions for medical deliveries in hard-to-reach areas.
According to Prof. M. Srinivas, director of AIIMS, corneal blindness is a significant issue in India, affecting millions. The quicker delivery of donor tissue could help ensure that more people have access to sight-restoring surgeries.
Research is ongoing to analyze the use of drone logistics in medical practices, especially for materials that need specific storage conditions. This pilot project could pave the way for broader applications in critical medical logistics, making healthcare more efficient and accessible.
With more than 12 million people suffering from corneal blindness in India, as per recent statistics, the potential impact of this initiative is enormous. A successful transport system could mean that fewer healthy corneas go to waste and more patients regain their vision, significantly changing lives for the better.
For further reading, check the ICMR’s official report on the drone project, which highlights the significance of this innovation in modern healthcare.
Check out this related article: Celebrating Bihar Diwas 2025: Honoring the Achievements of the Bihar Diaspora at New York’s Indian Consulate
Source linkHEALTHCARE SECTOR, ICMR, NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE, AIIMS JHAJJAR, AIIMS DELHI, ICMR SUCCESSFULLY OPERATES DRONE-BASED CORNEA TRANSPORT
