Drone healthcare service trial launched in E/Kameng

A trial to utilise drones to provide superior healthcare services to the rural communities in East Kameng district was launched on 15 August by Chief Minister Pema Khandu virtually.

Redwing Labs will provide ‘made in India’ hybrid vertical takeoff and landing drones and run end-to-end operations under the project.

The drone network is being set up on a limited experimental basis to pilot aerial healthcare deliveries in the state. The network will enable diagnostics and emergency treatments at the local health centres.

“The initiative is the outcome of multiple stakeholders collaborating to improve healthcare access to communities in remote areas,” according to a press release.

This includes the government of Arunachal, the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) ‘medicines from the sky’ initiative and Redwing Labs, with funding support from the SAMRIDH healthcare blended financing facility – an initiative supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by IPE Global.