Arunachal Pradesh launches 'Medicine from the Sky' to remote places in state

OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh on Monday launched 'Medicine from the Sky', an initiative to deliver vaccines and medicines to distance and remote places in the state through drones.

The launch of the programme was marked with delivery of the first sortie of medicines from Seppa to Chayang Tajo in East Kameng district. Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Pema Khandu shared a video of the launch.

"Drone Services Launched: Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India the world's drone hub, the government of Arunachal Pradesh has decided to conduct a pilot project of using drones in healthcare, agriculture and disaster management in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF)," Pema Khandu said in his official twitter handle.

The pilot project has been funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and executed by Bengaluru-based startup Redwing Labs, Khandu tweeted. "The project would provide a clear picture of operational issues, financial feasibility and regulatory issues, based on which the government would make a policy and take steps for phased adoption of this emerging technology," the chief minister said in another tweet.

The project was made possible by the financial and technical support from SAMRIDH Healthcare Blended Financing Facility- an initiative supported by the USAID and implemented by IPE Global. East Kameng DC Pravimal Abhishek informed the district has a very hilly terrain which makes it difficult to access interior areas, particularly during monsoon. The DC added that drone-based drug delivery would be a game changer in strengthening access to healthcare in such remote areas.

Meanwhile, WEF head for aerospace and drones Vignesh Santhanam, said that the international organisation undertook a field study in Arunachal Pradesh in mid-2021 to learn about the state's local health distribution system, disease profile and nature of the terrain.

"Traversing Seppa-Bameng belt by road, made it evident that drones were an absolute necessity," Santhanam added.

Also Read: Assam-Arunachal border: Joint visit from August 20

Also Watch: Guwahati Police Seizes 20,000 Bottles of Anrex Cough Syrup, 2 Held