Aligning with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant and technologically empowered India, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched an innovative study on aerial transport for medical logistics. This pioneering initiative focuses on using drones to transport human corneas and amniotic membrane grafts, enhancing accessibility to vision-restoring procedures.
Successful Feasibility Study Conducted in Haryana
In collaboration with AIIMS New Delhi and Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, with support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, ICMR conducted a feasibility study in Sonipat and Jhajjar, Haryana. The study assessed the potential of drones in transporting delicate ophthalmic biomaterials from peripheral collection centers to tertiary hospitals.
A drone successfully transported corneal tissue from Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital (Sonipat) to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), AIIMS Jhajjar, and later to AIIMS New Delhi. This aerial route, covering the distance in approximately 40 minutes, drastically reduced the traditional road travel time of 2–2.5 hours. The drone maintained optimal environmental conditions to preserve the integrity of the corneal tissue, which was successfully transplanted upon arrival.
Drones: A Game Changer in Healthcare Logistics
Drones are revolutionizing healthcare by enabling the rapid delivery of life-saving medical supplies, especially in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Timely transportation of corneal tissues is crucial, as delays can compromise tissue viability and reduce the success rate of transplants. Drone-based transport offers a swift, temperature-controlled, and reliable alternative to traditional road networks, which are often slow or unpredictable.
By bridging the gap between donor sites and hospitals, drones ensure that every viable cornea is utilized effectively, giving more patients a chance to regain their sight.
ICMR’s i-DRONE Initiative: Expanding Medical Drone Applications
ICMR’s i-DRONE initiative has already demonstrated the potential of drone technology in healthcare. Drones have been used to transport essential medical supplies in:
- North East India – Delivery of COVID-19 and Universal Immunization Program (UIP) vaccines, medications, and surgical supplies.
- Himachal Pradesh – Transporting medications and samples in high-altitude, sub-zero conditions.
- Karnataka – Transporting intraoperative oncosurgical samples.
- Telangana – Collecting tuberculosis (TB) sputum samples.
- National Capital Region (NCR) – Delivering blood bags and components.
These successful deployments highlight the potential of drones to bridge last-mile healthcare gaps, making medical logistics more efficient and accessible.
Leaders Applaud the Initiative
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research (DHR) & Director General, ICMR
“The i-DRONE platform was initially designed to deliver vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, we have expanded our capabilities to include low-temperature transport of blood products and essential medicines to extreme environments. This cornea transport study represents another milestone—ensuring timely transplants, reducing burdens on tertiary hospitals, and improving patient access to critical healthcare. This initiative aligns with the Honourable Prime Minister’s vision of an innovative and self-reliant India. Drone-based healthcare logistics are the future, and India is leading the way.”
Shri Piyush Srivastava, Additional Secretary & Senior Economic Advisor, Ministry of Civil Aviation
“This collaboration between the health and aviation sectors showcases how technology can drive social impact. Using drones to transport corneas demonstrates India’s ability to address real-world healthcare challenges with homegrown solutions. As we strengthen our drone ecosystem, such studies play a crucial role in building a resilient and responsive healthcare infrastructure.”
Prof. (Dr.) M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS New Delhi
“Corneal blindness affects millions of Indians, and the availability of donor tissue is often a major challenge. This drone-based transport model could transform the accessibility of vision-restoring surgeries, particularly in underserved regions. The success of this pilot project paves the way for precision drone logistics to support other critical medical applications.”
Shaping Future Medical Drone Logistics
As reported by pib.gov.in, through this study, researchers aim to document operational workflows, identify technical challenges, and establish best practices for integrating drone logistics into routine medical practice. The findings will guide the development of protocols and policies for the aerial transport of time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive biological materials, such as human corneas.
The event saw participation from key dignitaries, including Dr. Anil Kumar, Director of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (MoHFW). This initiative marks a significant step forward in leveraging drone technology to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency across India.