Trial run for delivering vaccines by drones held
Source: The Sangai Express
CCpur, October 07 2021:
The first Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone trial run for delivering Covid-19 vaccine was held today from Leisang playround in Churachandpur district to Bishnupur District Hospital.
The drone successfully delivered a payload comprising of 1200 Folic Acid Tablets covering about 30 kms.
The Drone engaged by ICMR today is said to have a battery backup for an hour with a capacity to cover 60 to 70 kms.
The trial was conducted under strict conformation of protocol with representatives from ICMR Dr Balaji, Scientist-B, ICMR; Dr Nupur Mahajan, Research Associate-III ICMR; Dr Sumit Aggarwal, Scientist-C and Dr P Gupta, Scientist-C leading the team.
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Local health officials led by Dr Paulunmang Vaiphei, DFWO/CCpur and H Vanlalven Langel, VCCM CCpur & Pherzawl /eVIN (UNDP) assisted them along with the local police.
With today's successful trial run, the Government is understood to have considered the option of delivering Covid-19 vaccine in the interior areas of the district using drones in the near future.
According to the ICMR officials, Imphal West, Bishnupur and Tamenglong are the other districts where the option of using drones to deliver Covid-19 vaccines are under consideration.