The Indian Medical Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched drone resource and outreach activity in Mokokchung district to deliver the Covid-19 vaccine on Tuesday.
The formal launch of i-drone delivery of vaccine was held from Mokokchung chief medical officer’s office to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Longsa village in presence of Mokokchung deputy commissioner Limawapang Jamir, superintendent of police Aotula Imchen and deputy chief medical officer Dr Kibangkumba.
Normally, it takes more than one hour by road to reach Longsa village from Mokokchung town to cover a distance of almost 30 km, which may increase during monsoon season due to bad road conditions. With the launch of the drone service, it will only take only eight minutes to reach Longsa PHC from Mokokchung town to cover an aerial distance of 11.5 km.
The ICMR has taken the initiative to implement drone resource and outreach in parts of India, especially in the hilly areas and remote villages, in order to ease the numerous challenges in vaccine delivery. Based on suggestions of the Union ministry of health and family welfare, and permission granted by the directorate general of civil aviation, two states and one union territory – Manipur, Nagaland and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands – were considered for this pilot study.
Two districts of Nagaland – Mokokchung and Tuensang – were chosen in this pilot project for studying the feasibility of drone technology in delivery of medical supplies.
3 Nagaland health workers awarded
Three health workers from Nagaland were awarded for best performance in New Delhi on Monday.
The three health personnel are community health officer of Anatonger Health and Wellness Centre (HWC) in Kiphire district Viseno Dolie, auxiliary nurse midwifery of Phelungre HWC in Kiphire district Rhikiuchi and accredited social health activist (ASHA) of Pungwla HWC in Peren district Kesangcetle were felicitated, along with others from 36 states, and UTs, during the observance of Universal Health Coverage Day, 2021.
Union minister of state for health and family welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar was the chief guest of the programme.
They were honoured under the category of Best Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre- Primary Healthcare Team Award for their commendable performance in delivering the expanded package of services under comprehensive primary health care.