ICMR's i-DRONE project cuts TB diagnosis time, slashes patient costs in Telangana

New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) flagship i-DRONE initiative has significantly improved tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in remote parts of Telangana by reducing testing delays and dramatically lowering patients' out-of-pocket expenses, the government said on Thursday.

Conducted in Telangana's Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district, the project enrolled 840 participants and found that drone-assisted transport of TB sputum samples reduced the median diagnosis turnaround time from 15 days to just five days. The faster delivery of samples also enabled quicker confirmation of the disease and earlier treatment decisions.

The study compared the traditional method, where patients travelled long distances to diagnostic centres, with a drone-enabled model in which sputum samples were collected at nearby Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub-centres before being flown to designated TB laboratories.

The initiative also led to a dramatic reduction in patient expenses. The average out-of-pocket expenditure fell from around Rs 9,451 to just Rs 91, while the median expense during the drone-assisted phase dropped to zero, indicating that many patients no longer had to spend anything on travel for diagnosis. The model also helped reduce wage losses by allowing patients to submit samples closer to their homes.

The intervention was implemented through a hub-and-spoke network linking 11 Primary Health Centres, 60 sub-centres and four TB Units, making diagnostic services more accessible to people living in remote villages.

"Affordable and timely access to diagnosis remains central to India's TB elimination efforts. This study demonstrates how technology can help bridge geographical barriers and reduce the burden on patients, particularly those living in remote areas," said Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General of ICMR.

He added that the findings from the i-DRONE initiative would help shape future public health innovations while strengthening existing healthcare delivery systems.

Healthcare workers involved in the project reported that drone-based transport improved operational efficiency, reduced delays and gained widespread community acceptance after an initial familiarisation period.

The study also highlighted challenges such as adverse weather conditions, payload limitations and the need for continuous training, suggesting that careful planning will be essential before expanding the programme to larger areas.

With inputs from IANS