The delivery service of medical UAVs will be launched on April 24

General News on Friday, April 19th, 2019

Source: citinewsroom.com

2019-04-19

Fly Zipline Ghana will officially launch its drone delivery service in the country on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo is expected to launch the initiative in Zipline's first distribution center in Omenako, a town in Suhum municipality in the eastern region.

Before the official launch on Wednesday, Zipline will officially pilot its first drone to deliver vaccines to the new Tafo Hospital in the Eastern Region.

$ 12.5 million approved contract

In 2018, the government approved the operationalization of Zipline's drone technology to deliver vital medicines and blood to rural areas of the country despite the protests of MPs on the minority side.

The $ 12.5 million contract will allow the government to transport blood and other essential health commodities to disadvantaged areas.

Fly Zipline plans to perform more than 150 flights daily from each of its four distribution centers across the country.

Trial

Zipline – the world's first nationwide drone delivery service – began its first test and diagnostic flights from its first distribution center in Omenako on March 1, 2019.

The revolutionary new service will use drones to deliver emergency on-demand deliveries of life-saving medicines to more than 2,000 healthcare facilities across the country.

Fly Zipline launched a similar service in Rwanda in 2006 to improve the delivery of public health services in that country.

Vice President's Perspective on Medical Drones

The vice president, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, had previously stated that drone delivery service was a cost-effective approach to providing quality health care.

"We are taking the lead in Rwanda, which pioneered in Africa. Once we have started, our drone delivery service will be the largest in Africa. We are also innovating in the provision of health care to reduce costs and be as efficient as possible. We try to rely on technology to help us be more efficient and profitable, "he added.