Can drones deliver blood in emergency? India test gives hope, flags hurdles
This study comes months after drones slashed eye tissue delivery time by nearly 70%. A drone flew 38 km from Sonipat to Jhajjar in just 40 minutes. A road journey takes over two hours.In Delhi, drones have even taken to fighting mosquito-borne diseases.However, the ICMR scientists cautioned that more scientific evidence was needed to assess the challenges, and an assessment of the quality of the blood transported using a drone.And, there are challenges, some natural, others that need to be ironed out, such as regulatory hurdles, weather conditions, battery life, maintenance, safety concerns, costs, and better integration with existing healthcare systems.Making Indian Healthcare Future-ready With 'i-Drone'.Trial run of blood bag delivery by drone successfully conducted.Inaugural flight carried 10 units of whole blood samples from Govt Institute of Medical Sciences & Lady Hardinge Medical College, for the first time in India. pic.twitter.com/UoKfwaSq3o— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) May 10, 2023WHY USE OF DRONES TO TRANSPORT BLOOD IS COMPLEXDrones are revolutionising healthcare by providing cost-effective, fast delivery of medical supplies to remote and underserved areas. In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare aims to make healthcare "future-ready through the i-Drone initiative".But transporting blood via drone is more challenging than transporting organs because blood requires strict temperature control and careful handling to maintain its quality and safety, whereas organs have different preservation needs and are triggered by occasional demands.According to the ICMR study, the drone trial for blood transportation was largely successful. It demonstrated that blood and its components can be safely transported by following established guidelines.
In October 2021, under the i-DRONE initiative, ICMR successfully conducted India's first drone-based delivery of vaccines and medical supplies in the Northeast. (Image: Ministry of Science and Technology)
WHAT DOES ICMR'S STUDY ON DRONE BLOOD DELIVERY SAY?In the study, four types of blood components (like whole blood, packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, or platelets) were safely transported using drones with special temperature-controlled boxes. The drone delivery was much faster than using a van. The drone delivery took just 15 minutes, while a van took over an hour for the same distance.advertisementA special drone that can take-off and land like a helicopter and fly up to 40 km was used to carry 4 to 6 blood bags along with cool gel packs, weighing about 4 kg, and all flights followed India's drone safety rules.There was no damage (called hemolysis) to the blood during transport. The temperature stayed within safe limits during and after the flight. While some small changes were seen in certain blood components, these changes happened with both drone and van transport, and overall, the quality of the blood remained safe, the ICMR study said."Hence, the drone is a potential alternative to explore in tropical countries as a first response vehicle in emergencies," it said."But more scientific evidence is required about the practicality, operational challenges and impact on the quality of blood after transportation via drone," the study noted further.
Rwanda was the first to launch a medical drone framework in 2016 with Zipline. The UK, after NHS-backed trials, has a national plan for BVLOS medical deliveries by 2026. (AFP Image for representation)
advertisementCHALLENGES OF USING DRONES FOR BLOOD DELIVERY?The ICMR confirmed that blood and its components can be safely transported via drones if strict guidelines are followed. It recommended maintaining blood component-specific temperatures to prevent hemolysis or bacterial contamination, using specialised cooling systems and real-time monitoring to ensure blood integrity.The study advised rigorous validation of drone vibrations to avoid damaging red blood cells, plasma, or platelets, and emphasised that pre-flight checks are vital. Compliance with aviation regulations and coordination with air traffic control were also said to be critical for safe beyond visual line of sight operations, particularly in rural areas.A pan-India robust regulatory framework is also needed.India's diverse topography of high mountains and humid plains may affect drone performance.The current high costs of drone technology, urban congestion and limited rural blood bank infrastructure hinder scalability, flagged a 2025 study in the Journal of Transport and Public Health.That said, drones won't replace ambulances anytime soon, but they may outrun them when it counts most. In crunch situations like foggy mountains, traffic jams, drones delivering blood to the needful will make all the difference. But, challenges may clip the wings of medical drone delivery in India. What the study shows is that drones aren't just tools of surveillance or strike or wedding photography. They're now allies in saving lives. To make that promise fly, the gamechanger must get a real chance.- Ends
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