Women’s Day 2024: Flight of hope in Uttarakhand

On February 1, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, became the first government hospital in the country to employ drones to carry medicines to remote community health centres. Steering the maiden drone flight was Mamta Raturi, an arts graduate from Rishikesh who, until recently, was engaged in community development initiatives like enrolling fellow women in government schemes. The drone ferried tuberculosis drugs to the community health centre in the hilly district of Chamba.

“In half an hour, the drone covered a distance that would have taken 3-4 hours by road,” says Raturi. She stands alongside Pushpa Chauhan, a homemaker from Chamba, as one of the two licensed drone operators in Uttarakhand right now entrusted with the critical task of delivering life-saving drugs to remote government health centres. Their journey began with intensive training in Manesar, Haryana, where they acquired the necessary skills to navigate drones, chart flight plans, and troubleshoot technical issues.

“I learned about the initiative in February 2023, during AIIMS Rishikesh’s trials and immediately enrolled. In January this year, I attended training at the Drone Destination institute in Manesar, Haryana, and earned my licence,” says Raturi.

This article was originally published as part of  Down To Earth’s special issue dated 1-15 March, 2024.  Download the full story for free

Meenu Singh, director of AIIMS Rishikesh told Down To Earth that the hospital is currently using two medium-sized drones that can carry loads of up to 6 kg and fly up to 50 km on a single charge. “The initiative not only marks a significant technological advancement but also underscores the indispensable role of women in driving progress and fostering resilience in communities. The idea is to create a network of women with self-help groups (SHGs) in hilly areas of the state who are adept at flying these drones,” she says. The drones are currently being used to supply medicines and vaccines to the hilly areas and on their return journey carry patient samples for testing at AIIMS Rishikesh. As the network expands, drones will facilitate emergency deliveries, ensuring timely access to critical supplies like platelets and medications for patients across the state.

“Drone didis will substantially improve the quality of services provided at health centres across the state. We have so far delivered medicines to three health centres in Chamba, Hindolakhal and New Tehri districts. The current range of the drones means they can only be used in the seven districts in the Garhwal region,” she says. The drones are currently being managed from Rishikesh, and women are being trained at the community health centres to load and unload the medicines, check the batteries and, most importantly, place the drones in the right direction to fly back to Rishikesh. “Right now, members from the drone company are present at the community centres to assist with the process. They will leave once the training of the women at the centres is completed,” says Raturi.

Building upon the initial success, plans are underway to establish a drone delivery centre at AIIMS Rishikesh’s upcoming satellite facility in Udham Singh Nagar to cater to the six districts in the state’s Kumaon region. News reports suggest that nine more AIIMS are preparing to launch similar drone delivery services, highlighting the pivotal role of drone didis in propelling this movement.

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