Drone-based medical delivery in the extreme conditions of Himalayan region: a feasibility study

Abstract

IntroductionUnmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, have emerged as versatile tools across various sectors, including defence, agriculture, surveillance, mining, infrastructure, emergency response, transportation, geospatial mapping and notably medical supply delivery to challenging terrains. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using drones for delivering essential medical supplies in Keylong, Himachal Pradesh, situated amidst the Middle Himalayan Range, where heavy snowfall during peak winter restricts access to remote regions, posing logistical hurdles for healthcare provision.MethodsThis cross-sectional used a mixed-method approach alongside assessing the drone-based medical delivery. Insights from healthcare workers were documented on sociodemographic characteristics, local healthcare facilities and challenges encountered during drone operations.ResultsA total of 15 sorties were conducted, efficiently transporting 1000 units of medicines and 20 clinical samples. Throughout the drone operation, various technological and health-related challenges were encountered due to the high altitude and the cold weather conditions. Additionally, it has been observed that drones could play a pivotal role in supplementing traditional medical supplies. Particularly, the transportation of the medical supplies in emergency situations and delivery of diagnostic samples from peripheral villages.ConclusionThe study observed that drones present a viable solution for enhancing healthcare accessibility in hard-to-reach regions, particularly for expeditiously delivering diagnostic samples and essential medications during emergencies. The findings underscore the potential of drones to complement existing healthcare systems, providing an efficient means to address logistical challenges in remote areas.