The success of drones in the fields of ecology and environment makes us believe that they can also be used in the field of Public Health as medical couriers. Air transport like a helicopter is the only alternative so far, but it is expensive and not affordable to the patients or the health system. Lack of access to roads is critical for medical supplies such as vaccines and drugs. In developing nations and in areas with mountains, deserts, or forests, roads are impassable and take long-distance travel. Drones equipped with video cameras are piloted remotely using a smartphone or a computer in environmental studies for aerial air sampling and monitoring greenhouse gases, occupational hygiene, construction industry for safety management, pedestrian behavior study and pedestrian-vehicle crash analysis, wildlife monitoring, and in landscape ecology as in the study of malaria associated with rubber plantations. They provide fast access to images as well as real-time videos. They are increasingly being used for civilian and commercial purposes for the delivery of smaller items to locations with difficult access. Apart from this destructive purpose, there are other potential uses of drones as well. This is because of the fact that the drones have been conventionally used by the armed forces to drop bombs and destroy enemy targets. When we speak about drones, we think about a battlefield, destruction, and death. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, commonly known as Drone, is a small aircraft which fly by remote-controlled operation. Medical drones may be mistaken for military Drone and attacked by armed forces. Drones in the hands of terrorist groups may be weaponized and used for terror attacks. Drones cannot carry heavier payloads or deliver goods long distances. However, operating drones require trained staff and the lack of infrastructure like runway is a potential problem. Organs can be transported in a short time bypassing the busy traffic. Drones can be employed in disaster relief operations for rescuing victims and in the delivery of food, water, and medicines. They can deliver essential medicines like anti-venom for snake bite and dog bite and prevent deaths. Drones can be used in the transport of blood from the blood bank to the place of surgery and that of specimens from hard-to-reach areas to the labs in nearby towns. They are a cost-effective alternative to road transport in difficult terrains. The important strength of using drones is its potential to decrease the travel time for diagnosis and treatment. Air transport like a helicopter is expensive and not affordable. In developing countries, lack of access to roads is critical for medical supplies like vaccines and drugs.
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