Rural locations in India face challenges in obtaining good quality healthcare - lack of an agile supply chain at the last mile is a significant problem that leads to a tragedy of either stockouts or excess stock keeping. Moreover, it leads to absence of essential services such as basic diagnostic tests. This results in the non-availability of essential medicines, higher out-of-pocket expenditure for patients, and unfortunate loss of lives.

At Redwing, we focused on providing critical drugs and emergency medical items to healthcare facilities on-demand - creating a virtual cold chain and reducing turnaround times. Our research studies led the organization to offer a range of life-saving services including diagnostic pickups, critical drug deliveries, and vaccine deliveries.

To operationalize India's first drone delivery hub, the initial focus was on understanding the healthcare landscape. Using GIS mapping, we visually analyzed local hospitals across districts to identify pain points related to travel distance and delivery inefficiencies. We conducted over 100 on-ground interviews with diverse stakeholders, from government medical officials to doctors, nurses, and patients, across Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Telangana. This data helped us identify critical needs and integrate drones into the existing supply chain without disrupting traditional on-road methods. The biggest challenge was gaining acceptance from ground staff unfamiliar with drone technology, which we addressed through community sensitization efforts.

We developed detailed process flowcharts, converted them into Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and conducted workshops to train government staff and local hires. For efficient operations, I designed a web app on a low-code platform that streamlined order management from primary healthcare centers and provided live data on flights, stock, and emergencies via a real-time dashboard for stakeholders. This structured approach ensured the drone hub operated smoothly, enhancing the existing medical supply chain.

The drone network unlocked diagnostics at primary healthcare centers, something that had never been possible before. This was a game-changer, enabling remote centers to offer tests and critical care services for the first time. The project delivered life-saving drugs for emergencies, vaccines to ensure no child was left unimmunized, transforming the healthcare landscape. Positive feedback from the state government led to the project's continuation, sustaining its success for nearly two years. One key lesson: understanding the needs of users on the ground is vital for introducing innovation. Their trust and acceptance made all the difference.