The Rwandan government is partnering with Silicon Valley -based company Zipline to bring drones to the healthcare sector. Over the past year, the project has been a success, with the partnership helping forty-five hospitals deliver medical supplies, and that's just the beginning.
According to Rwanda's director of communications and information, Jean Philibert Nsengimana, drones can deliver orders in fifteen minutes, compared to the four hours it would take the traditional method. He stresses, however, that difficulties are not absent, as weather conditions sometimes create problems.
It is a luxury for a hospital to maintain constant blood supplies, so some deliveries must only be made in case of emergency. This makes rapid response crucial in a region like Rwanda, where of death postpartum hemorrhage is
This use of drones is a big step for the developed world.
Regarding safety, Nsengimana says that in case of emergency, the drones are equipped with parachutes , so that the medical supplies do not suffer any damage. In addition, another element that distinguishes them and makes them more efficient than simple drones is the large wing they have, which allows them to travel distances of up to 93 miles. Finally, once it reaches its destination, it releases the package with the help of the parachute.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame will launch the drones on Friday, and the company promises that their cost will not exceed that of traditional modes of transportation.
