By The Editor
Human’s curiosity and eagerness to find tools and equipment for making life easier and more comfortable has led to the growth and progress of civilisation. Primitive people depended on raw tools like sharpened stones to carry on with their daily activities. In course of time they developed scientific equipment and machineries for better results that benefited the society and the process still goes on. One of these latest inventions is the drone which replaces humans in executing the work much easier and better. State government has selected 11 remote and isolated health centres in the state which are located in hilly and rough terrain not easily accessible by road transport to deploy drones for supply of life-saving drugs. Distance covered will also take less time which is very convenient for those in need of medical assistance. Number of such centres expected to increase more than double to 25 in next few months depending on the progress and development of these pilot health centres.
The operation covering 11 initial sites was started in December 2022 and so far has completed 154 flights covering aerial distance of 5734 kilometres. Drone station is located at Jengjal Sub- Divisional Hospital, West Garo Hills District. Health facilities covered by drone delivery to date include Primary Health Centres (PHC’s) of Pedaldova, Mendipathar, Nongalbibra, Samanda, Shallang, Asanang, Gabil, Manikganj, Sulmari and Songsak and lone Community Health Center (CHC) of Dadengre. All these health centres are in Garo Hills sector except Shallang PHC which is in West Khasi Hills district. By September- October this year sites covered will be increased to 25 which will cover more health centres. At present drones can deliver maximum of five kilograms of essential drugs and medicines which will not only reduce time in transport of drugs but also bring down cost of transport. Agency running the operation is Tech Eagle which has assured that service will be improved to meet the increasing number of health facilities. Advantages of drone services are that they are not at all affected due to floods or landslides or road conditions.
State Health and Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has stated that regarding blood testing what is essential is to transport blood samples by drones to appropriate health centres. Drone service is indeed a great blessing to people of Meghalaya which so far faces much inconveniences due to natural disasters like rain, floods, landslides and road conditions which at times takes days to return to normalcy thus creating worries and tensions to patients and their families. Drone benefits can also be extended to other relevant departments and Ampareen Lyngdoh who is also in charge of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare informed that government is contemplating to replicate the service for agricultural sector.