Drone-Based TB Sample Testing Cuts Diagnosis Cost in Telangana

Drone-based transport of sputum samples for tuberculosis testing has been studied in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana. The study was conducted by AIIMS Bibinagar and linked to the Indian Council of Medical Research’s i-DRONE programme. It measured patient expenditure, diagnostic turnaround time, and reporting delays in remote villages connected to district health facilities.

Drone Use in Tuberculosis Diagnostics

Tuberculosis diagnosis in India often depends on sputum sample collection at Primary Health Centres and testing at higher-level laboratories. In the Telangana study, drones carried sputum samples from peripheral health facilities to testing centres under the National TB Elimination Programme. The system used a central command centre at AIIMS Bibinagar to coordinate movement across 11 Primary Health Centres, 60 subcentres, and four TB Units.

Cost and Time Metrics in the Study

The study found that average out-of-pocket expenditure for patients fell from ₹9,451 to ₹91 after drone-based transport was introduced. The median turnaround time for TB diagnosis in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district declined from 15 days to five days. Before drone deployment, more than 92% of patients waited for more than two days for test results, while during the drone phase 76.3% received results the next day.

Operational Features of the i-DRONE Programme

The i-DRONE programme is an Indian Council of Medical Research initiative that uses unmanned aerial vehicles for medical logistics. In Telangana, one documented flight on 18 January 2025 covered about 55 kilometres in 20 minutes and delivered 11 sputum samples from Gattusingaram Primary Health Centre to the area hospital in Ramannapet. The programme also includes return flights for medicines to Primary Health Centres.

Important Facts for Exams

• AIIMS Bibinagar is located in Telangana and functions as a central medical institution for the drone coordination system.
• Primary Health Centres are the first point of contact in many rural public health systems in India.
• The National TB Elimination Programme is India’s national framework for tuberculosis control and elimination.
• Drone-based medical logistics are used for sample transport, medicine delivery, and reduction of transport time in remote areas.

Public Health and Logistics Context

Unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly used in health logistics for time-sensitive biological samples. In tuberculosis care, faster sample movement can shorten the interval between first contact with a health provider and laboratory confirmation. The Telangana study used reporting time and diagnostic delay as measurable indicators of service delivery.