ICMR’s i‑DRONE Cuts TB Diagnosis Delays and Costs in Remote India

India’s health research body ICMR has shown that drone‑enabled transport of tuberculosis (TB) sputum samples can cut diagnosis time from 15 to just 5 days and reduce patient costs by over 99%, offering a breakthrough for rural healthcare delivery.

ICMR's flagship i-DRONE initiative, has demonstrated that drone-assisted transport of tuberculosis (TB) sputum samples can significantly improve access to diagnostic services for people living in remote and underserved areas.

The results stem from a programme‑based study carried out in Yadadri‑Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana, in partnership with AIIMS Bibinagar and the District TB Office under the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP). Researchers compared the traditional approach—where patients themselves travelled to diagnostic centres—with a drone‑enabled model in which sputum samples were collected at nearby Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub‑centres (SCs), then flown by drones to designated TB Units (TUs) for testing.

A total of 840 participants were enrolled. Findings showed that the median turnaround time for TB diagnosis dropped sharply, from 15 days to just 5 days, once drone‑based transport was introduced. This innovation significantly reduced diagnostic delays, allowing faster disease confirmation and enabling clinicians to make timely treatment decisions.

Background: TB Burden in India

• India carries the world’s highest TB burden, with over 2.8 million cases annually.
  
• Delays in diagnosis remain a major challenge, especially in remote and underserved regions.
  
• The National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) aims to eliminate TB by 2025, but logistical barriers have slowed progress.
  

The i‑DRONE Initiative

• Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched i‑DRONE to explore drones for healthcare logistics.
  
• Study conducted in Yadadri‑Bhuvanagiri district, Telangana with AIIMS Bibinagar and the District TB Office.
  
• A hub‑and‑spoke network connected 11 PHCs, 60 sub‑centres, and 4 TB Units, enabling sputum collection closer to patients’ homes.
  

When innovation takes flight, healthcare reaches farther.

ICMR’s i-DRONE initiative is transforming TB diagnostics by using drones to transport sputum samples from remote health facilities to diagnostic laboratories.

The initiative has demonstrated:
✅ Reduction in median… pic.twitter.com/zedI9yv0T4

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) July 16, 2026

Key Findings

Impact	Conventional System	Drone‑Enabled System
Median diagnosis turnaround time	15 days	5 days
Mean out‑of‑pocket expenditure (OOPE)	₹9,451	₹91
Median OOPE	₹1,000+	₹0
Participants enrolled	840	840 (206 pre‑drone, 634 drone phase)

Government & Expert Voices

• Dr. Rajiv Bahl, DG ICMR: “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.”
  
• Health Ministry officials confirmed that findings will inform future integration into NTEP.
  

Operational Considerations

• Weather conditions can affect drone flights.
  
• Payload limitations restrict the number of samples per trip.
  
• Training needs for healthcare workers to ensure biosafety and operational efficiency.
  
• Wider implementation requires careful planning and validation across diverse terrains.
  

Broader Implications

• Adds to global evidence of drones in healthcare logistics (e.g., HIV testing in Malawi, vaccine delivery in Ghana).
  
• Supports India’s digital health and innovation agenda, aligning with TB elimination targets.
  
• Demonstrates how technology can complement existing healthcare systems in difficult terrains.