Drones to help diagnose TB cases in Chamba

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has accorded approval to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), commonly known as drones, for fast-track diagnosis of complicated tuberculosis (TB) cases in hilly, inaccessible and difficult terrains of the district.
A feasibility project report on adopting drones for transporting sputum samples and testing drug resistance of TB was completed by Dr Vishal Thakur of the state health services under the supervision of the National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai.
In a communiqué issued here, Dr Thakur, also principal investigator of the feasibility project, said, “TB is a serious disease requiring prompt identification and proper treatment as per the TB Control Programme in difficult terrains of the district,” adding that the study received good response and prompt approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, New Delhi.
The findings suggested that the use of drones had reduced the duration of transportation by nine times and the cost by seven times as compared to conventional transportation methods,” said Dr Thakur, adding that this might be the maiden experimental use of drone for the health sector in the country.

ABOUT UAV'S :

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is an aircraftwithout a human pilot aboard. UAVs are a component of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS); which include a UAV, a ground-based controller, and a system of communications between the two. The flight of UAVs may operate with various degrees of autonomy: either under remote control by a human operator or autonomously by onboard computers. Compared to manned aircraft, UAVs were originally used for missions too "dull, dirty or dangerous for humans. While they originated mostly in military applications, their use is rapidly expanding to commercial, scientific, recreational, agricultural, and other applications, such as policing, peacekeeping, and surveillance, product deliveries, aerial photography, agriculture, smuggling, and drone racing.

Uses of drones in various fields :

1. Agricultural Drones: Precision agriculture (PA) or satellite farming or site specific crop management (SSCM) is a farming management concept based on observing, measuring and responding to inter and intra-field variability in crops. Drones have a unique advantage in being able to provide live data from a range of sensors (including multispectral, NIR and lidar) to perform in-depth analysis of crop health and more.

2. Drones and Digital Mining: Drones are beginning to have a profound effect on mining. Hexagon Mining is shaping change by applying UAVs to solve challenges in the industry: better blast optimization, improved safety, faster surveying, and construction of the most comprehensive and continuous project datasets. Foot traffic is not allowed or is ill-advised in many parts of a mine. Obtaining measurements with a surveying rod, total station or GNSS can be problematic. UAV aerial photography and remote sensing allow us to capture all that information without putting someone in harm’s way. Aerial photogrammetry has been around for as long as the airplane. For mining though, a manned aircraft was too expensive and too inconvenient for regular airborne photogrammetry. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are a natural fit for mining and the advent of the lithium polymer battery has transformed development of airborne photogrammetry. Data can now be captured in near real time from areas that would otherwise be inaccessible or unsafe for staff. Whether it’s for blast fragmentation, stockpile volumes, or any other mine-related activity, data can be captured quickly and safely.

3. Drones in Warfare: We are living in the first age of drone warfare. While unmanned aerial vehicles can trace their origins back at least as far as 1918, it took the War on Terror and its accompanying technological advances to truly showcase the abilities of long-endurance, high-flying remotely piloted machines. Yet despite their prominence in modern battlefields, the greatest impact of drones will be felt in the future.

4. Surveying/Mapping/GIS: Geospatial professionals rely on our md Mapper packages to get the job done every day. From basic mapping to survey-grade results, Micro drones helps you work smarter.

5. Inspection: Save time and hassle while reducing risk and increasing on-thejob safety. Wind turbines, power lines, pipelines, railroads, buildings, towers and more should be inspected using a drone.

6. Science & Research: Take your observations to new heights. Literally, the Micro drones unmanned aerial systems are an easy way to collect data and images from above.

7. Aerial Video and Photography: Trust the stability, endurance and resistance to harsh environments of the Micro drones line up to procure the footage you need.

8. Unmanned Cargo: Consider the help get your parcel to its destination quickly and more affordable than traditional methods.

9. Search and Rescue: Affordable air support is now available via Micro drones. Fire-fighters, police, and water rescue professionals are developing creative ways to use help ground teams increase their effectiveness.
 

By: Pooja Sharda