Aiming to tackle the constraints of rugged terrain and inhospitable conditions, the Himachal Pradesh Government plans to make use of drones to collect blood samples and drop medicines in remote areas of Kullu district.
If successful, the project, to be launched from December, will be replicated especially in the tribal belt of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi and Killar that remains snowbound for almost six months.
Since proper medical diagnosis is possible only through laboratory tests, drones will be deployed for carrying samples from the primary health centres to the community health centres of the district hospitals. “Doctors and specialists will diagnose the ailment and the prescription can be mailed to the PHC,” Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said.
The facility will be launched with the help of Tata Consultancy Services that has tied up with IIT-Roorkee. “Trials are underway. It will be very useful in reaching out to people living in panchayats like Bagipul and Arsu in Nirmand block, Malana in Kullu and Fozal and Mandalgarh under Manali block,” said Yunus Khan. Though modalities are being worked out, major expenditure will be met under the corporate social responsibility component.
People of tribal areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi and Killar depend on the government-run helicopter service for air-lifting locals who fall sick and for facilitating movement of students for examination and job interviews.
