India Pioneers Drone-Based Cornea Transport in Medical Breakthrough

In a groundbreaking initiative aligned with India's self-reliance vision, ICMR successfully tested drone transport of human corneas, reducing delivery times significantly. This study, in collaboration with AIIMS and others, showcases drones' potential in revolutionizing healthcare logistics, particularly in remote areas. The project sets a precedent for future medical innovations.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has embarked on a pioneering venture in collaboration with AIIMS New Delhi and Dr. Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital to employ drones for transporting human corneas and amniotic membrane grafts. This initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a self-reliant India, according to an ICMR press statement.

The feasibility study, backed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, demonstrated the potential use of drones to deliver sensitive ophthalmic materials from collection centres to tertiary hospitals. The trial, conducted between Sonipat and Jhajjar in Haryana, saw drones drastically cut down transportation times from 2-2.5 hours by road to about 40 minutes by air, maintaining specimen integrity upon delivery and facilitating successful transplants.

The i-DRONE platform, conceptualized during the COVID-19 pandemic, continues to expand its capabilities, having proven successful in various applications across India's diverse terrains. Dr Rajiv Bahl of the Department of Health Research emphasized the initiative's alignment with innovation-driven healthcare improvements. Piyush Srivastava from the Ministry of Civil Aviation remarked on the drones' ability to address healthcare challenges. With this model, researchers aim to establish protocols that could bring equitable medical access nationwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)