Rishikesh, January 15, 2025
AIIMS Rishikesh Successfully Delivers Hepatitis Medication via Drone to Haridwar Jail
On Wednesday, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, successfully delivered hepatitis medication to the Roshanabad Jail complex in Haridwar using drone-based health services. On its return journey, the drone carried blood samples from some inmates back to AIIMS.
AIIMS Rishikesh’s drone medical service is regularly delivering medicines to remote areas of the state. The institute conducted its first successful trial of this drone-based medical service on February 16, 2023.
During that trial, AIIMS delivered tuberculosis (TB) medication to the district hospital in Tehri for the first time. Continuing this initiative, the institute delivered hepatitis C medication to some inmates in Haridwar Jail on Wednesday.
The institute’s Executive Director, Prof. Meenu Singh, dispatched the drone from AIIMS’ helipad at 11 a.m. It reached the jail complex in Roshanabad, Haridwar, approximately 28 minutes later. Jail Superintendent Manoj Kumar Arya and pharmacists received the medication, and on its return, the drone carried blood samples from some inmates, which were sent to AIIMS’ VRDL laboratory for testing.
On this occasion, Dr. Ajit Bhadauria highlighted that hepatitis C is a significant health concern in India, affecting an estimated 6-10 million people, with a national prevalence rate of approximately 1%.
To reduce this public health burden, the Government of India launched the National Viral Hepatitis Control Program (NVHCP) in July 2018. Through this program, AIIMS is utilizing drones to transport hepatitis C medications and samples. The program aims to provide comprehensive services, including testing and treatment, for viral hepatitis.
Dr. Rohit Gupta, Dr. Yogendra Pratap Mathuria, drone services consultant Dr. Jitendra Gairola, associate consultant Dr. Hardeep Manhas, technical officer Pankaj Thakur, and officials from the Tech Eagle company were present on the occasion.
