Andhra Pradesh Strikes Red Wing Pact to Launch Drone Medical Deliveries From Paderu by Late January
The pilot targets hilly tribal communities where poor roads slow emergency care.
Overview
- Health officials signed the agreement on December 24 between Commissioner G. Veerapandyan and Red Wing’s Kundan Madhireddy, designating Paderu as the hub in Alluri Sitarama Raju district.
- Drone operations are slated to begin by the end of next month following the formal tie-up.
- Drones will serve a 60–80 km radius carrying up to two kilograms per flight with cold-chain capability for vaccines and temperature-sensitive medicines.
- Return flights will move blood, urine and stool samples from primary and community health centres to laboratories for faster diagnostics.
- Red Wing will provide services free for the initial six to seven months as a proof of concept, with officials considering a future route linking King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam to Paderu.