Tissue Sample Transported 37 Km in 20 Minutes During Surgery for Cancer Testing

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been at the forefront of utilizing drones for healthcare purposes. This aligns with the national mission of expanding the drone ecosystem in the country. Recently, the ICMR successfully completed a trial run of transporting onco-pathological samples by drones as part of its i-Drone initiative.

The trial involved transporting surgical biospecimens excised from a patient at Dr. TMA Pai Hospital in Karkala to Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education Manipal, spanning a distance of approximately 37 km in just 15-20 minutes, a journey that typically takes 50-60 minutes by road. Upon arrival, the sample was promptly analyzed and the report electronically conveyed back to the peripheral hospital, allowing the surgeon to proceed with the surgery based on the received report. This trial run, a validation study, is the first of its kind in the country and was achieved through the collaborative efforts of ICMR, Kasturba Medical College, and Dr. TMA PAI Rotary Hospital.

The use of drones in healthcare is crucial, particularly during emergency situations, as they enable the rapid delivery of vaccines, medications, and vital supplies to remote and inaccessible areas. The ongoing feasibility study in Manipal aims to assess the use of aerial transportation systems, specifically for transporting pathology samples from secondary healthcare facilities to tertiary-level hospitals. This pioneering approach has the potential to connect secondary care centers with limited resources to tertiary care facilities with advanced diagnostics, facilitating immediate access during surgical procedures.

Alongside this initiative, the ICMR has previously conducted successful trials for delivering medical supplies, vaccines, and medicines in remote areas of Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland, as well as for blood bag delivery in the Delhi National Capital Region (NCR) under its i-DRONE initiative. The use of drones during emergencies has the potential to save numerous lives, particularly in challenging geographical terrains, ultimately benefiting the Indian population and strengthening India’s healthcare infrastructure. *(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.

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