Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on 4th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Update on National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP): ICMR i-DRONE Initiative
A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under its i-DRONE initiative has demonstrated that drone-assisted transport of tuberculosis (TB) sputum samples significantly enhances diagnostic efficiency and affordability in remote regions. The study was conducted in the Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana in collaboration with AIIMS Bibinagar and the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
Key Performance Metrics:
Reduction in Diagnosis Time: The median turnaround time for TB diagnosis was reduced by two-thirds, falling from 15 days to 5 days.
Reduction in Patient Cost: Mean out-of-pocket expenditure for patients decreased by over 99%, dropping from approximately ₹9,451 to ₹91.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel, presented these findings in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha. The initiative aims to improve timely access to diagnostic services in hard-to-reach areas, supporting the overarching goals of the NTEP.
Document Metadata:
Date: 04 August 2026 (4:08 PM)
Location: PIB Delhi
Release ID: 2294274
Reference: HFW/PQ- Update on NTEP /4 August 2026/4
Key Entities Referenced
National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP): India’s public health initiative aimed at eliminating Tuberculosis, which collaborated on the study for drone-assisted sample transport.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR): The apex body for biomedical research in India that conducted the study on the impact of drone technology on TB diagnosis.
i-DRONE initiative: An ICMR program focused on using drones for medical supply delivery, specifically evaluated for transporting TB sputum samples to reduce diagnosis time.
Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, Telangana: The primary location where the study was conducted, demonstrating significant reductions in TB diagnosis turnaround time and patient expenditure.
AIIMS Bibinagar: A premier medical institute that collaborated with ICMR and the NTEP to implement and evaluate the drone-assisted sample transport study.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on NTEP
ICMR Study Finds Drone-Assisted TB Sample Transport
Reduces Diagnosis Time from 15 Days to 5 Days and Patient
Expenditure from ₹9,451 to ₹91
ICMR's i-DRONE Initiative Cuts TB Diagnosis Time by Two-
Thirds and Reduces Patient Costs by Over 99%
प्रव तथ: 04 AUG 2026 4:08PM by PIB Delhi
As per the latest study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) under its i-DRONE
initiative, drone-assisted transport of tuberculosis (TB) sputum samples has been found to significantly
reduce the time and cost of TB diagnosis in remote and hard-to-reach areas. The study, conducted in
Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district of Telangana in collaboration with AIIMS Bibinagar and the National TB
Elimination Programme (NTEP), demonstrated that the median turnaround time for TB diagnosis was
reduced from 15 days to 5 days, while the mean out-of-pocket expenditure incurred by patients decreased
from approximately Rs 9,451/- to Rs 91/-, thereby improving timely access to TB diagnostic services.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written
reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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SR
HFW/PQ- Update on NTEP /4 August 2026/4
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2294274) आगंतुक पटल : 790
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Punjabi , Urdu , ही