In a significant boost to healthcare access in remote tribal regions, a drone delivered malaria medication to a Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Andhra Pradesh within 40 minutes of a shortage being reported, highlighting the impact of a newly launched drone-based medical service in the state.
The incident occurred on June 23 at the Chintapalli PHC, where a shortage of malaria medicines had arisen. After the requirement was communicated to the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Paderu, a drone was dispatched and reached the facility in under an hour, ensuring uninterrupted treatment.
The initiative is part of a broader effort by the Andhra Pradesh government to strengthen healthcare delivery in hard-to-reach areas. The drone service is designed to transport medicines, blood units, and laboratory test reports between district hospitals and remote healthcare centres, significantly reducing delays that previously stretched over several days.
“Earlier, it would take at least two to three days to procure medicines, as someone had to travel to the district hospital. With drone services, essential supplies are now available within hours,” a staff member at the Chintapalli PHC said.
The project took shape after the State Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare signed an agreement in December with Redwing, which has prior experience in drone-based healthcare delivery in Arunachal Pradesh.
Currently, Paderu serves as the operational hub for the service. Drones are transporting medicines and lab reports between the hub and nearby PHCs, Community Health Centres (CHCs), and area hospitals. In its initial phase, the service covers eight healthcare centres, including Chintapalli Area Hospital, Munchangiputtu CHC, and PHCs at Bhimavaram, Tajangi, Sunkarimetta, Lothugedda, and Ananthagiri.
Drones carry blood samples daily from these facilities to the district GGH and return with diagnostic reports and required medicines. The government plans to expand the service in three phases, adding 10 more hospitals in the next stage before extending coverage to all remaining facilities in the district.
A dedicated drone hub has been set up on an 80-cent plot at the Government Degree College in Paderu, from where services are provided to hospitals within a 100-kilometre radius. Each drone operation is managed by a two-member team— one pilot and another responsible for handling the exchange of medical supplies.
Once samples reach Paderu, they are transported to the GGH via a bike runner. After processing, medicines and reports are loaded onto drones for return delivery. Of the four drones currently available, three are actively deployed, while one remains on standby for emergencies.
Representatives from Redwing, Deepika and Abhijit, indicated that the service may soon be linked to King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam, pending necessary permissions due to the presence of defence establishments in the region.
They added that the company had previously operated drone-based healthcare services in Arunachal Pradesh for over a year before the state government began running its own system. Redwing is also implementing a similar project in Odisha’s Kandhamal district.
Officials believe the initiative could transform last-mile healthcare delivery in remote and tribal areas, ensuring timely access to essential medicines and diagnostic services.
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