CSR arm of IIFL Group partners with Government to launch Last Mile Vaccine Delivery through Drones

IIFL Foundation, the CSR arm of IIFL Group, has partnered with central and state governments to start Maharashtra’s first vaccine delivery through drones in inaccessible Jawhar taluka of Palghar district.

The drone-based vaccine delivery by IIFL Foundation is one of the country’s first vaccine delivery operations with a 5 kg payload and 25 kilometres range. IIFL Foundation’s drone-based vaccine delivery project was a part of its ‘Conquer Covid’ program to support the government’s last mile vaccine delivery mission.

Speaking on the drone-based vaccine delivery, Madhu Jain, Director, IIFL Foundation said, “Last mile vaccination is the key requirement in achieving 100% vaccination in India. We have partnered with various government agencies at centre and in Maharashtra to contribute to the last mile vaccination drive through drone. This is an essential requirement to reach out to Indians residing in faraway and inaccessible areas, where road access is not possible or very difficult and takes a lot of time, which results in wastage of perishable vaccines and other health supplies.”

The first drone-based vaccine delivery by IIFL Foundation carried 300 vaccines to Zaap village in Jawhar, which helped 100% of vaccination of the village, which is located in a difficult hilly terrain.

Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Health, Dr Pradeep Vyas, who launched the drone services said, “IIFL Foundations efforts are commendable towards last mile vaccination. In the first delivery itself the task which would have otherwise taken more than one hour, was completed in just a little over nine minutes. We would want this to continue in other difficult terrains for last mile vaccination.” He also suggested that the drone can be used in difficult terrains of Gadhchiroli and Nandurabar districts of Maharashtra.

The drone for IIFL Foundation was developed by BlueInfinity foundation, a start-up based in Mumbai. Dhaval Ghelashah, Founder, BlueInfinity said, “IIFL Foundation understood the importance of use of drones for vaccine delivery and providing other health supplies. We are grateful that they wholeheartedly supported and allowed us to build the high-quality drone for them. The idea of higher 5kg payload and 25km range will ensure higher impact within less time.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray praised the efforts of Maharashtra health administration, IIFL Foundation and BlueInfinity in achieving this feat. Madhu Jain further added, “I personally believe that if we want development, if we want success of any project then there are four things which should work together – Sashan, Prashasan, Janta and Jan-Jagruti. I would like to say thank you to the central government who have supported us, they have given us this approval for the drone project. I would like to thank the Maharashtra government, because all the departments they helped us a lot and for the community members, I would say that, they have helped us a lot and they have allowed us to work in their area and awareness was created by our team members, community was mobilized and now people are eager to take vaccines.”

IIFL Foundation, which runs one of India’s largest girl child education initiatives – Sakhiyon Ki Baadi’ – that has brought over 36000 out-of-school girls into the education fold, has increased the scope of its health program in addition to education since the onset of Covid pandemic with a larger budget and increased area of operation. Since March 2020, IIFL Foundation has contributed to the government’s efforts in terms of contribution to the Prime Minister’s relief fund, sponsoring health equipment, health gears, ration kits and oxygen cylinders through government and non-government partners.

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