Innovative Strategies for Emergency Healthcare in Resource-Constrained and Remote Regions Using UAVs, AI, and Telemedicine

Abstract

Georgia’s mountainous and rugged terrain presents a critical challenge for the provision of timely and effective medical assistance during both armed conflicts and natural disasters. Limited ground accessibility, unpredictable weather, and dispersed population centers significantly delay casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and the delivery of life-saving medical care within the "golden hour." Simultaneously, Georgia—like many other nations—faces a growing shortage of qualified military medical personnel, which further limits its capacity to respond efficiently in crisis situations.

This paper proposes an integrated solution that combines unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), artificial intelligence (AI), and telemedicine technologies under the principles of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). Through this approach, UAVs equipped with advanced sensors can rapidly detect casualties; AI algorithms can analyze vital signs and injury data; and telemedicine systems, connected to a centralized Command and Control (C2) medical center, can guide first responders or even untrained individuals in providing effective life-saving care. Furthermore, AI-assisted triage and UAV-based medical logistics can optimize resource allocation, ensuring that medical personnel and supplies are deployed rationally and efficiently across complex terrains.

This study argues that the integration of UAVs, AI, and telemedicine—when structured in alignment with TCCC’s core principles of immediate care, tactical field management, and evacuation—can provide Georgia with a strategic, innovative, and sustainable framework for modern military and humanitarian medicine. The model emphasizes the rational use of limited medical resources, the enhancement of casualty survival rates, and the expansion of tactical medical capabilities within the constraints imposed by Georgia’s topography.