IIFL Foundation, which launched one of the first and most successful last mile vaccination initiatives by delivering vaccines with a higher 5kg payload and longer 25km distance in December 2021, has now drawn major interest from African, Asian and European countries at Dubai Expo 2022.
IIFL Foundation’s drone-based vaccine delivery project is a part of its ‘Conquer Covid’ program to support the government’s last mile vaccine delivery mission. Startup Blue Infinity is the knowledge partner for the initiative. The project was started successfully in December 2021 delivering vaccines in unreachable hilly regions of Maharashtra’s Palghar district. The project received accolades from the state and central governments and was sent as a major innovation from India to the Dubai Expo 2022.
In Dubai, the IIFL Foundation’s innovation was visited by thousands of delegates from Asia, Africa and Europe. Many government authorities notably from South Africa and Bangladesh were keen to replicate the IIFL Foundation’s successful vaccine delivery via drones in their own countries.
Some of the prominent visitors to IIFL Foundation innovation lab include Shri Aman Puri, Consul General of India in Dubai, Mr A K Abdul Momen, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and Jomo Sono, legendary South African footballer.
Mrs. 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 to contribute to the last mile vaccination drive through drone. We are happy that globally our initiative is being recognized.”
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 equipments, health gears, ration kits and oxygen cylinders through government and non-government partners.
