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Rwanda unveils first commercial drone medical deliveries

Xinhua, October 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

The first emergency medical supply by remotely piloted aircraft, popularly known as drones, was launched on Friday in Muhanga district, Southern Province in Rwanda.

The launch comes close to a year after the government of Rwanda entered into an agreement with Zipline Inc, a California-based robotics firm to build infrastructure for unmanned aerial system to ensure efficient logistical transportation of medical supplies in the country.

The operation uses fixed-wing drones that automatically fly to remote villages in the countryside. They release small packages attached to parachutes without needing to land at the delivery points before returning to the distribution center.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda said that the use of unmanned commercial drones to transport essential medical products is a milestone for Rwanda in many respects.

"It demonstrates the possibility of transforming business models in many industries beyond healthcare. We recognize its power to change lives, and contribute to the rapid socio-economic transformation we want," he said.

"Rwandans have learned to embrace innovation, especially when it is clear that it can help us solve the challenges we face. I hope that this project will inspire more innovation and entrepreneurship in commercially viable technologies in our country," he added.

According to Rwanda ministry of health, Zipline drones will deliver blood to 21 health facilities in Northern, Southern and Western provinces of the country.

According to Zipline Inc, the drones can travel up to 150 kilometers (about 93 miles) round trip and move at speeds up to 130 kilometers (75 miles) an hour. The company can process as many as 150 blood deliveries per day.

The drones will be used to deliver blood, plasma, and coagulants to hospitals across rural Rwanda, helping to cut waiting times from hours to minutes. The aircraft are launched from a catapult and fly below 500ft (152m) to avoid the airspace used by passenger planes.

Doctors in remote clinics use a mobile phone to contact the Zipline distribution center and request blood of a certain type. Endit