Meghalaya launched the Northeast’s first drone delivery hub and network on December 5 in an effort to improve healthcare facilities.
The facility is being built in collaboration with TechEagle, a drone delivery startup.
In the presence of a few other state ministers, Meghalaya minister James Sangma inaugurated the drone station at the Jengjal Sub-Divisional Hospital.
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Taking to Twitter, James Sangma said, “I am happy to have inaugurated the Drone Station at Jengjal Sub-Divisional Hospital today. With the aim of improving accessibility, the drones will help deliver medicines to all rural health facilities falling within a radius of 50 km.”
I am happy to have inaugurated the Drone Station at Jengjal Sub-Divisional Hospital today. With the aim of improving accessibility, the drones will help deliver medicines to all rural health facilities falling within a radius of 50 km. pic.twitter.com/WSgeckHe7r
— James K Sangma (@JamesSangma1) December 5, 2022
Vital supplies such as drugs, diagnostic samples, vaccines, blood, and blood components will be delivered quickly and safely to various regions of the state using a dedicated Drone Delivery Network.
Meanwhile, the first official drone flight took off from Jengjal Sub Divisional Hospital and took less than 30 minutes to deliver medicines to Padeldoba Primary Health Care Center, which would have taken 2.5 hours by road.
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Because of the enormous difficulties in last-mile delivery, an overhaul of the current delivery system is required.
The TechEagle solution addresses the issues of poor visibility, high delivery costs, outdated technology, and inaccessibility via road and rail networks.
Additionally, vaccines, medications, diagnostic samples, blood units, and other supplies will be delivered to and from remote medical facilities in a timely and efficient manner.
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