BACKGROUND: TB remains a major public health concern in India where diagnostic delays persist. This study assessed the impact of drone-based sputum transport on turnaround time (TAT) and access to TB care in Telangana’s Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri district. METHODS: A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study was conducted under the Indian Council of Medical Research’s i-DRONE initiative. Intervention included pre-drone phase (ground transport of samples) and drone phase (drone-based transport of samples). Outcomes: TAT, patient and diagnostic delay, and out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE). Quantitative data were analysed using Jamovi and MS Excel; qualitative insights were gathered from open-ended remarks and observations made during the field. RESULTS: A total of 840 individuals (206 in the pre-drone phase and 634 in the drone phase) were enrolled. The median TAT reduced from 15 days (interquartile range IQR: 10–20) in the pre-drone phase to 5 days (IQR: 2–9) in the drone phase, and the mean (standard deviation) TAT dropped from 16.6 days (18.1) to 6.9 days (8.3) (P < 0.001). The mean OOPE declined from INR 9,451 (∼USD 113.4) to INR 90.9 (∼USD 1.0). Patients reported travel difficulties, loss of daily wages, and stigma as reasons for delaying care. CONCLUSION: Significant reduction in the TAT and improved access to TB diagnosis in rural and remote Indian settings support the feasibility of scaling drone-based logistics within national TB elimination efforts.
Kamble et al. (Sun,) studied this question.