Blood samples collected using Drone technology

Ambikapur/Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Under the Government of India’s pilot project for use of drone technology in health service delivery, blood samples were collected from the Community Health Centre, Udaipur.

Under the scheme, Rajmata Smt Devendra Kumari Singh Deo Government Medical College, located in Ambikapur from Chhattisgarh, was selected for the Government of India's pilot project Use of Drone Technology in Health Service Delivery.

The first drone trial was conducted on Monday at Rajmata Smt. Devendra Kumari Singhdev Government Medical College as an experiment in the first phase.

Blood samples for testing and samples for OT culture were sent by drone from the distant Udaipur Community Health Centre to the Medical College covering 40 km.

The drone will be used to deliver the report to the Community Health Centre, Udaipur.

The medical community feels the drone technology will prove boon to the remote areas as many Community Health Centre lacks laboratories for testing mainly in Surguja and Bastar region. Generally the samples are sent to the nearest referral centres.

During the trial run, the drone took 30 minutes to reach Udaipur from Medical College Ambikapur where its successful landing was done at Jhirmiti Stadium Ground in Udaipur. Within 15 minutes, the blood sample, which weighed approximately 600 grams, was loaded into the drone and the drone was sent back to the Medical College, Ambikapur.

Two drone sisters of self-help groups were sent to Delhi for training in drone operation.

Out of which, one Drone Didi has been trained for Udaipur and one Drone Didi for Ambikapur for the work of sample loading and unloading. Once the project is successful, it will be implemented in all the districts of the state. It will help to ensure quick medical reports of the critical patients admitted in hospitals.

As part of expansion of health services, the government has cleared the appointment of 250 doctors in the state.