Nigeria adopts drone technology for blood delivery in hard-to-reach areas
By Justina Auta
The National Blood Service Agency (NBSA) has entered into a strategic partnership with Zipline International Nigeria Ltd. to deploy drone technology for the swift and efficient delivery of blood supplies across the country.
Speaking on the development, the Director-General of NBSA, Prof. Saleh Yuguda, on Wednesday in Abuja, described the initiative as a major advancement in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Yuguda said: “The agency is fully committed to ensuring the success of this project. This partnership is a groundbreaking step toward improving Nigeria’s healthcare system.
“We are committed to ensuring its success because it is both a life-saver and a time-saver.”
Similarly, Akin Oyediran, Managing Director of Zipline Nigeria, reiterated the company’s commitment to tackling blood-related emergencies through cutting-edge technology.
Oyediran commended NBSA for embracing innovation, stating that the partnership aligned with Zipline’s mission to reduce preventable deaths caused by delays in blood supply.
“With this initiative, Nigeria joins a growing number of countries leveraging drone technology to strengthen healthcare delivery and emergency response systems,” he said.
The initiative, modelled after Rwanda’s successful drone-powered blood distribution system, is expected to enhance the collection, storage and timely distribution of blood, particularly in remote and underserved communities.
The use of drones is aimed at addressing delays that often lead to loss of lives due to blood shortages. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
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