A recent study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under its i-DRONE initiative has demonstrated the transformative impact of drone-assisted transportation of tuberculosis (TB) sputum samples in remote and underserved regions. The study, carried out in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana in collaboration with AIIMS Bibinagar and the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP), revealed that the median turnaround time for TB diagnosis was reduced from 15 days to just 5 days. It also showed a dramatic decline in patients’ average out-of-pocket expenditure, which dropped from approximately ₹9,451 to only ₹91. The findings underscore the potential of drone technology to improve access to timely TB diagnostic services, reduce financial burden on patients, and support India’s efforts towards TB elimination.
