Skye Air Mobility partners with CARiTAS Hospital, Kottayam, to initiate drone-based medical deliveries, reducing supply times and enhancing healthcare in South Kerala through innovative aerial logistics.
Skye Air Mobility, a prominent drone technology firm, has joined forces with CARiTAS Hospital & Institute of Health Sciences in Kottayam, Kerala, to launch a pioneering drone-based medical delivery service. This partnership is set to transform healthcare logistics in the region by utilising unmanned aerial vehicles to transport essential medical supplies, diagnostic samples, and equipment. The initiative, marked as the first of its kind in South Kerala, aims to improve healthcare accessibility and reduce delivery times significantly.
The newly established Caritas Drone Medical Supply Delivery Unit will enable drones to carry payloads of up to 3 kilograms over distances of 10-15 kilometers. These drones will connect CARiTAS Hospital with its satellite healthcare facilities, including Caritas Family Hospital (CFH), CARiTAS KMM, and CARiTAS CHPD, reaching remote areas swiftly. The innovative system promises to cut delivery times from hours to just 5-7 minutes, thereby ensuring that critical medical supplies reach their destinations promptly and reducing carbon emissions by minimising road transportation.
The inaugural drone flight successfully transported a package of vital medicines from CARiTAS Hospital to Caritas Family Hospital and CARiTAS KMM, located 10-15 kilometres away. The ceremony, attended by local dignitaries and healthcare professionals, was a milestone in healthcare innovation.
Rev. Dr. Binu Kunnath, Director of CARiTAS Hospital, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, highlighting the transformative potential of drone technology in healthcare. “Drones are a game-changer for healthcare in Kottayam,” he stated. “They allow us to reach patients in remote areas much faster and more reliably, whether delivering medicine, transporting lab samples, or providing medical equipment.”
MLA Mons Joseph, the Chief Guest, praised the initiative as a significant advancement for healthcare in Kerala. He emphasised the role of drones in delivering critical medications to remote areas within minutes, a move aligned with the government’s goal of enhancing public services through technology.
Ankit Kumar, CEO and Founder of Skye Air Mobility, underscored the broader impact of this partnership, stating that the collaboration marks a significant step forward in the application of drone technology in healthcare. “By establishing an aerial supply chain, we are not only reducing delivery times but also minimising costs and environmental impact,” Kumar said.
The drone delivery program will undergo a series of trial runs in the coming weeks, with plans for a full-scale rollout across Kottayam district. Both CARiTAS Hospital and Skye Air Mobility are committed to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the drone delivery system, working closely with local authorities, and adhering to all relevant regulations.
