Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched an initiative on October 4, 2021 to facilitate COVID-19 vaccine delivery using “made in India drones” in the tough & hard-to-reach terrains of Northeast.

Key Facts

• For the purpose, ICMR has designed a delivery model called “Drone Response and Outreach in North East (i-Drone)”.
• This delivery model has been designed to endure that life-saving COVID-19 vaccines reach everyone.
• This initiative was launched in line with government’s commitment to “Antyodaya in health” that makes healthcare accessible to every citizens in India.

This was the first time that a “Make in India’ drone has been used in South Asia for transporting COVID-19 vaccine for an aerial distance of 15 km. This distance was covered in 12-15 mins from Bishnupur district hospital to Loktak lake, Karang island in Manipur. Road distance between both the locations is 26 kms.

• Drones can be used to deliver important life-saving medicines as well as for collecting blood samples.
• It can also be used in critical situations in difficult terrains.
• It will address the challenges in health care delivery, especially for delivery of health supplies in difficult areas.