TECHNOLOGY
Medical drones help fly the last mile in East Africa’s most remote corners
It is known as the last-mile problem, and East Africa is solving it: the extreme difficulty in delivering life-saving health products from the city to rural locations as a result of inadequate infrastructure, communication and transportation. It is a problem the world over, but particularly serious in the developing world. It is, of course, an acute problem during emergencies or catastrophes caused by nature, war or civil strife. East Africa is leading the world in pursuing innovative solutions to the problem. By jumping platforms in a rapidly evolving technology, Rwanda and Tanzania have secured the services of California-based robotics company Zipline to provide the world’s first drone medical delivery services. They do so with breathtaking efficiency, saving many lives. Rwanda, an innovator of note, pioneered this approach. Whereas an ambulance takes four hours to deliver blood to a remote area, a drone gets it done in 15 to 45 minutes. Rwanda’s drone port, in the Shyogwe sector,...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.