In a path breaking validation trial of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) the I-Drones carried for the first time whole blood bags in Delhi. Dr Rajiv Bahl Director General of ICMR said, 10 units of whole blood were transported by i-Drone from Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), New Delhi, Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida and Jaypee Institute of Information Technology (JIIT), Noida. The inaugural trial flight carried 10 units of whole blood samples from GIMS and LHMC in visual line of sight.
Elated by the trial run Dr. Bahl clarified that blood and blood-related products were safely, quickly & requisite temperature was maintained during transportation without compromising on the quality of samples. The successful mission of i-Drone has motivated us to expand national mission of drone ecosystem in India.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl recalled that during COVID-Pandemic the vaccines were transported in difficult hilly terrains and inaccessible places. The trial is also successful to transport lifesaving drugs to far flung areas. Further, he hinted that drones could be used for transport of organs for transplantation.
This study will lead to development of SOPs for wider applicability and use of drones for delivery of blood bags and the components. Additionally, it will provide answers to whether drones shall be used as a method of transportation for temperature sensitive blood products in remote locations of the country.
