India: Fortis to test drones to transport organs for transplantation

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http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/fortis-to-test-drones-to-transport-organs-for-transplantation-115111500281_1.html

India: Fortis to test drones to transport organs for transplantation
The company expect developments towards use of drones for transportation next year
LAST UPDATE
Gireesh Babu

With the frequent traffic congestions in major cities and various other infrastructure related issues challenging the timely delivery of medical care, the healthcare service provider Fortis Healthcare is contemplating use of drones in medical care. The prominent use of drone is currently being discussed in transporting organs, especially for heart transplant within the city.
Fortis Healthcare, one of the healthcare major in the country, is testing the waters for active use of drones in organ transplants. With the technology improving, there are chances for increased number of organ transplant and creating a green corridor through the busy roads of the city.
Green corridors are mainly required for transplanting heart, as it has a low tolerance and has to be transplanted within four hours from being taken out from the body. While some organs like kidney and liver, which are more forgiving and could be kept in storage conditions fo 24 hours and 12-15 hours respectively, the need is to transport the organ from the donor's place to the receivers' end as quick as possible.
It was at this juncture, the doctors and the management in Fortis Healthcare started weighing options of using drones. Drones are already used in various parts of the world for different healthcare purposes including delivery of medical equipment or medical support during earthquake or taking some medical aid to areas where it is not easy to approach by road.
"It is a very good idea and we are exploring the possibilities," said Bhavdeep Singh, CEO of Fortis Healthcare recently in Chennai.
The other options available include organ conservation systems, special boxes which could keep organs such as heart for almost 10-11 hours. This system is at present commercially not available for use. Another option is to carry the organ by helicoptor, and the difficulty is that flying helicoptor is not allowed near many of the hospitals. Especially, when it comes to a city like Delhi, where most of the city falls under no flying zone, this option is also not viable. Drones, on the other hand, could be the best option, say experts.
"Currently we are in the process of working out the modalities and the regulations etc, such as what kind of drones can be used, how much weight it will carry. I think it is still a bit far from the day when we actually do a trial run. But it is something we are thinking very seriously and we are involving all the agencies that should be involved," said Avnish Seth, director and HOD, Fortis Organ Retrieval and Transplant (FORT).
"It is very difficult to give a time frame, there are different variables. But I think within 2016 we should be able to see something happening," said Seth.
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