1st Drone Delivery Hub & Network in Northeast for delivery of medicines set up in Meghalaya

way2barak, Dec.6: In a step towards improvement of health services, the 1st Drone Delivery Hub & Network in Northeast for delivery of medicines was flagged off in the Jengjal Subdivision Hospital located in the West Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. The drones will deliver medicines to rural health facilities within a 50km radius. During the inauguration, medicines weighing 1.5 kg of medicines were successfully delivered to a remote location of Meghalaya.

The first official drone flight took off from Jengjal Sub Divisional Hospital (Hub) and delivered medicines to Padeldoba PHC in less than 30 minutes which would have otherwise taken 2.5 hours by road. The drone in use has been created and operated by a startup named TechEagle. This drone has a capacity of flying with a payload of up to 4 kg. 

Project Director of the Meghalaya Health Systems Strengthening Project said, “We expect larger drones by March 2023 for delivering up to 25 kg of medicines, anti-snake venom vials and other healthcare necessities.”

Taking to his twitter handle, Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma wrote, “North East’s 1st Drone Delivery for Health launched at Jengjal Sub-Divisional Hospital today. Ensuring last mile medical deliveries, the drones will deliver medicines to rural health facilities within a 50km radius. Congratulations to the team.”