SHILLONG:
The state government has selected 11 remote and isolated health centres in the state to deploy drones to supply life-saving drugs. The number of such centres is expected to reach 25 in the next few months.
“There are 11 such sites that have already been marked for drone services in the state and by September-October, we expect these sites to increase substantially at least to 25,” Minister in charge Health & Family Welfare Ampareen Lyngdoh said.
The health facilities which have been activated for drone delivery to date include Pedaldoba PHC, Mendipathar PHC, Nongalbibra PHC, Samanda PHC, Shallang PHC, Asanang PHC, Dadenggre CHC, Gabil PHC, Manikganj PHC, Sualmeri PHC, and Songsak PHC.
The drone station is located at Jengjal Sub-Divisional Hospital in the West Garo Hills district.
The drone service was started in December 2022 and so far has completed 154 flights and covered 5734 kilometres of aerial distance.
Lyngdoh said this is a very innovative practice by the state to make sure essential drugs are delivered to distant places that are otherwise difficult to reach by road and other traditional modes.
“Several states are now conducting pilots, but Meghalaya has a full-fledged drone station in Jengjal and drones can deliver a maximum of five kgs of essential drugs and medicines to places particularly CHCs/PHCs which are difficult to reach by road,” she added.
The minister further informed that by September-October, the drones would be able to transport up to 25 kgs of materials.
“We are not only sending medicines but we are also conducting tests. So if there are patients who need certain tests to be done, blood samples and others can be sent on the drones for testing to ensure that citizens who are marooned because of poor connectivity will be able to have access to testing,” she said.
Stating that the government wants to ensure that drone services are foolproof and completely tested, Lyngdoh said, “Because we want to increase the efficiency of the delivery of drugs to these far-flung areas. Also, when you are transporting medicines through drones you are also reducing the cost of transportation of these drugs.”
Lyngdoh, who is also looking after the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, further informed that the government is also planning to replicate the service for agricultural produce and products.
“If this works in the health services, we can also replicate it for agricultural produce and products. Therefore, we are now expanding the system,” she stated.
Stating that the service is a crucial breakthrough for the government, the minister said, “In a difficult state like Meghalaya where we have all kinds of disruptions in a communication system. It will be good in the long run during floods or landslides in the state. All of these challenges, natural disasters happen very often, so if this works then we would be the first state to do it..”
According to her, the government is looking forward to increasing the facilities under the drone service, which is being run by an agency called Tech Eagle.