A healthcare provider can today, virtually appear on a screen, and most often make a reasonable diagnosis, and give proper advice reviewing available investigations. Distance has become meaningless. In fact, Geography has become History! However, in truly remote areas making available drugs, vaccines, blood or even collecting biological samples for investigations is a major constraint. Today drones are increasingly being used in health and medical sectors to reach the unreached and make isolation relative, not absolute. The very word ‘inaccessible’ will slowly loose its meaning. This overview introduces the reader to yet another illustration of potential creative disruption in healthcare. The author is confident that we will see this happen in parts of rural India soon.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are an excellent way to modernize the last mile in medical deliveries and bridge gaps in access. Drones can provide just-in-time resupplies of key medical items, regardless of location. Since some health systems can’t afford to keep cold-chain products such as platelets or blood on-site, drones can ensure these supplies are available on demand.

Drones for health and medical sectors logistics have recently seen a range of landmark moments. Last year, a University of Maryland drone delivered a kidney that was successfully transplanted into a patient suffering from a serious nephrological condition, the first ever drone delivery of a human organ.

Every service provider wanting to deploy drones needs to overcome challenges ranging from payload capacity, safety, battery life and of course, regulations. Flight paths need to be provided and drones managed to ensure that the right package is transported in right conditions at the right temperature to the right location.

Political awareness and desire to work with drones is increasing. Positive feedback from communities on the potential use of drones for health will ensure that political interests are aligned with drone project objectives. Commercial drone use is often held back by regulations (or the lack of it). Drones are often considered as aircrafts and pilots must adhere to strict line-of-sight rules, caps on altitude, and other restrictions. The recently released FAA new rules will hopefully regularize commercial operations.