A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has found that drones can be a safe and efficient mode of transporting blood and its components, especially in emergency situations and remote areas. Titled “Adopting Drone Technology for Blood Delivery: A Feasibility Study to Evaluate Its Efficiency and Sustainability,” the study evaluates the impact of drone-based blood transport compared to traditional road delivery methods.
The study demonstrates that drone deliveries maintained critical biochemical parameters such as temperature and blood cell integrity. Though slight variations were observed in both drone and conventional methods, these did not compromise safety or functionality. Notably, the drone completed a 36-kilometre route in just eight minutes, while a road vehicle took 55 minutes to cover the same distance.
The findings underscore the potential of drone technology in overcoming India’s challenging terrains, poor road infrastructure, and vast geographical spread—factors that often delay the delivery of critical medical supplies. Drones enable faster, just-in-time delivery, which can be lifesaving in cases of trauma, surgery, or obstetric emergencies.
However, transporting blood is highly sensitive, as it requires strict temperature control to avoid bacterial contamination or haemolysis—both of which can compromise patient safety. The study highlights the importance of maintaining cold chain integrity and adherence to national and international guidelines in blood transport.
Lead researcher Dr. Sumit Aggarwal, Scientist and Programme Officer at ICMR, emphasized that while drone delivery maintained safety standards during trials, environmental factors such as temperature and humidity must still be accounted for, especially in a diverse country like India.
The ICMR report also references global drone initiatives in countries like Rwanda and Italy, where drones have been successfully used for blood delivery without compromising quality. It concludes that while drones present a promising alternative, more scientific validation is needed to fully assess operational challenges and ensure consistent quality post-transport.
Overall, the study provides a foundational framework for the adoption of drone technology in India’s healthcare logistics, particularly for blood and other time-sensitive medical supplies.