The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has successfully tested the use of drones for transporting human corneas in a pilot study, paving the way for a revolutionary shift in eye care accessibility across India, particularly in rural regions, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on Tuesday.
The study assessed the feasibility of using drones to transport sensitive ophthalmic biomaterials, such as human corneas and amniotic membrane grafts, from peripheral collection centers to tertiary hospitals for transplantation procedures. The study was conducted in Sonipat and Jhajjar, Haryana.
“The drone successfully transported corneal tissue from Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital (Sonipat center) to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), AIIMS Jhajjar, and subsequently to AIIMS New Delhi,” the Ministry stated.
“The distance between the two cities was covered in approximately 40 minutes via drone, compared to the usual 2–2.5 hours by road. The drone maintained optimal conditions to preserve specimen integrity, and upon arrival, the cornea was evaluated, leading to a successful transplant surgery,” it added.
The pilot project was conducted under ICMR’s i-DRONE initiative, originally conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic to deliver vaccines to remote regions. The initiative was launched in collaboration with AIIMS New Delhi and Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, with support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
“This cornea transport study marks another step forward in enhancing patient access, ensuring timely transplants, and reducing pressure on overburdened tertiary hospitals,” said Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR) and Director General of ICMR.
“This initiative aligns perfectly with the Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant India powered by innovation. Drone-based healthcare logistics represent the future, and India is taking the lead by applying this technology in areas where it matters most—saving lives and restoring sight,” he added.
In the past, the i-DRONE initiative has successfully demonstrated the use of drones to deliver essential medical supplies in various states, including North East India (COVID-19 and UIP vaccines, medications, and surgical supplies), Himachal Pradesh (medications and samples in high-altitude, sub-zero temperatures), Karnataka (intraoperative oncosurgical samples), Telangana (tuberculosis sputum samples), and the National Capital Region (blood bags and their components).
“This collaboration between the health and aviation sectors is an inspiring example of technology-driven social impact. Drones offer a scalable solution for timely medical delivery in geographically challenging areas. As India strengthens its drone ecosystem, such studies are critical to building a resilient and responsive healthcare infrastructure,” said Piyush Srivastava, Additional Secretary and Senior Economic Advisor at the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Through this study, researchers aim to document operational workflows, identify technical challenges, and generate evidence to support the integration of drone logistics into routine medical practice, particularly for time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive biological materials like human corneas.
The findings will help shape future protocols, policies, and best practices for aerial transport in healthcare.
“Corneal blindness affects millions in India, and the timely availability of donor tissue is often a limiting factor. This drone-based transport model could be a transformative step toward ensuring equitable access to vision-restoring surgeries, especially in underserved areas,” said Prof. (Dr.) M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi.
IANS
