The Economic Survey 2024-25, prepared by the Department of Economic Affairs and released on January 31, explained how emerging technologies can change India's healthcare landscape by offering viable solutions to problems of quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare in the country.One example is drones, which the Survey said has the potential to prevent loss of lives and save time by way of timely delivery of medicines in difficult geographies and in times of emergencies.It may be noted here that drones are already revolutionising the healthcare landscape in India by facilitating the swift transportation of critical medicines and the collection of medical samples from hard-to-reach and remote locations, demonstrating their vital role during emergencies.Drones: An ace aerial lifelineWith their capacity to traverse a variety of terrains—including roads, waterways, forests, and urban high-rises—they prove to be exceptionally efficient and dependable even in the most testing environments. This capability is essential in urgent situations, where they can play a pivotal role in saving lives.In September 2021, the World Economic Forum (WEF) initiated the project known as ‘Medicines from the Sky’ in partnership with the government of Telangana, specifically in the Vikarabad district. This innovative program marked the first of its kind in Asia, aimed at delivering medications and vaccines to evaluate the practicality of medium-range delivery methods.Subsequently, in 2022, the initiative was expanded to Arunachal Pradesh, where the focus shifted to assessing how the state’s healthcare system responded when integrated with drone technology.Project Drone: Savings lives everywhereUnder the project, it was noted that the delivery times have significantly improved, as trips have been shortened from eight hours using ground transport to a mere 22 minutes when utilising drones. This advancement has led to reduced emergency response times, ultimately saving lives in urgent circumstances.The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has acknowledged the accomplishments of the project for its groundbreaking application of drones to improve health supply chains within the region.Drones: The all-terrain angelThe initiative known as ‘i-DRONE’ (ICMR’s Drone Response and Outreach for North East) was inaugurated under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in October 2021. Its primary objective is to evaluate the practicality of utilising drones for the delivery of vaccines and medical supplies.The project was carried out in the challenging geographical landscapes of the northeast, specifically in Manipur and Nagaland, which included various terrains such as land, islands, foothills, and hilly areas.Following the successful outcomes of this study, the initiative has since been broadened to encompass the delivery of medical essentials to high-altitude regions in Himachal Pradesh, the transportation of tuberculosis samples in Telangana, and the movement of pathological samples in Karnataka.