Nagaland govt signs MoA to deploy drones in healthcare

Dimapur: Nagaland GIS & Remote Sensing Centre (NGISRSC) and the state’s health & family welfare department have signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) to integrate drone technology into Nagaland’s healthcare framework, a statement issued on Friday said. The MoA was signed at the directorate of health & family welfare in Kohima.The initiative aims to overcome challenges posed by Nagaland’s difficult terrain and limited accessibility. Drone technology will be deployed for emergency medical supply delivery, rapid response during disease outbreaks and natural calamities, aerial support for vector control, and geospatial mapping to aid planning and decision-making.Under the agreement, NGISRSC will handle drone operations, capacity building, data analysis, and regulatory compliance, while the health & family welfare department will provide logistical support, coordination, and deployment planning.Senior project director of NGISRSC, Mhathung Kithan, underscored the importance of adopting emerging technologies in public health, noting that drones would significantly improve healthcare delivery across the state.Principal director of health & family welfare, Mereninla Senlem, said the collaboration would strengthen Nagaland’s preparedness and response mechanisms during emergencies and disasters. She emphasised that timely delivery of essential medical supplies through drones could be a game-changer in critical health operations.The statement added that the MoA marks a milestone in Nagaland’s journey toward resilient, technology-enabled healthcare and sets a model for inter-departmental collaboration in leveraging innovation for public welfare.