Guwahati: Northeast India’s first drone delivery centre and network were established in Meghalaya on Monday in an effort to improve healthcare facilities.
The facility is being launched in partnership with drone delivery start-up TechEagle.
Meghalaya minister James Sangma officially opened the drone station in the presence of numerous other state ministers at the Jengjal Sub-Divisional Hospital.
Taking to twitter, James Sangma said, “I am happy to have inaugurated the Drone Station at Jengjal Sub-Divisional Hospital today. With the aim of improving accessibility, the drones will help deliver medicines to all rural health facilities falling within a radius of 50 km.”
With the use of a specialised drone delivery network essential supplies including medicines, diagnostic tests, vaccines, blood and blood components would be delivered to various parts of the state quickly and safely.
Meanwhile, the first authorised drone flight departed from the Jengjal Sub Divisional Hospital and transported supplies to Padeldoba PHC in under 30 minutes, compared to 2.5 hours by road.
Due to the enormous difficulties in last-mile delivery a strategy to overhaul the current delivery system is required.
The issue of poor visibility, high delivery costs, out-of-date technology, and inaccessibility through road and rail networks is resolved by the TechEagle solution.
Additionally, timely and effective medical supply deliveries to and from the far-off medical institutions will be ensured including those of vaccines, medications, diagnostic samples, blood units and other supplies.