Tue Mar 25 14:30:15 UTC 2025: ## Drones Deliver Hope: Successful Corneal Transplant Using Drone Delivery

**NEW DELHI, March 25, 2025** – A groundbreaking initiative has successfully used drones to transport corneal tissue for a transplant, marking a significant advancement in healthcare logistics in India. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in collaboration with AIIMS Delhi and Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, conducted a feasibility study in Haryana, utilizing drones to transport a cornea from Sonipat to AIIMS Jhajjar, and then to AIIMS New Delhi. The 40-minute drone delivery, compared to the usual 2.5-hour road journey, ensured the cornea’s viability, leading to a successful transplant.

This success builds upon the ICMR’s i-DRONE initiative, which has already demonstrated the effectiveness of drone delivery for various medical supplies across India, including vaccines, medications, and blood products. The initiative aims to overcome logistical challenges, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Officials lauded the initiative, highlighting the potential of drones to revolutionize healthcare delivery. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary of the Department of Health Research and Director General of ICMR, emphasized the scalability of the i-DRONE platform, originally developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. He stated that this corneal transport study represents another step forward in ensuring timely transplants and reducing the burden on tertiary hospitals.

Piyush Srivastava, Additional Secretary and Senior Economic Advisor of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, praised the collaboration between the health and aviation sectors, noting that drones provide a scalable solution for timely medical delivery in challenging geographical areas.

M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi, highlighted the impact of corneal blindness in India and the transformative potential of this drone-based transport model in ensuring equitable access to vision-restoring surgeries. The successful pilot project paves the way for wider applications of drone technology in critical medical deliveries. The time-sensitive nature of corneal tissue transportation makes drone delivery a vital advancement, ensuring that viable tissue is not wasted and more patients receive timely transplants.

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