Submission ID 118317
| Issue/Objective | Drones are changing healthcare delivery, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where traditional logistics face geographical, infrastructural, and resource limitations. This review focuses on the current use of drone technology in healthcare logistics in SSA, using Ghana as a case study. It explores their applications in emergencies, routine healthcare delivery, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) management while addressing operational challenges and future prospects. |
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| Methodology/Approach | A rapid scoping review methodology was employed, sourcing literature from Google Scholar and grey literature using a search query based on targeted keywords like "drones," "medicine delivery," and "Sub-Saharan Africa." The review focused on studies and reports that analysed drone applications in healthcare, particularly in SSA, their implementation challenges, and outcomes. Twenty papers met the inclusion criteria, providing qualitative and quantitative data on drone operations. |
| Results | Drone delivery systems have improved healthcare logistics across SSA including Rwanda, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria by enhancing emergency responses, addressing rural access issues, and optimising routine medical deliveries. Drones have been used to deliver vaccines, emergency drugs, essential medicines, blood products, laboratory samples, reagents, and test results. They have also been used to create awareness, conduct mass disinfectant spraying, and map out disease-prone areas. In Ghana, the government's partnership with Zipline has provided emergency and routine medical supplies to over 2,200 facilities, reducing stockouts and improving maternal and child health outcomes. For instance, drones facilitated over 14,900 additional immunisations in Ghana in 2021. However, challenges such as payload limitations, dependency on unreliable power supplies, and workforce shortages hinder scalability. These systems also require robust infrastructural and logistical support to sustain operations. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | Drones have great potential for healthcare delivery in SSA, offering rapid, efficient, and cost-effective solutions. While their contributions to improving maternal health and emergency responses are notable, addressing systemic issues like power infrastructure, supply chain inefficiencies, and workforce limitations is crucial. Integrating drones into broader healthcare strategies could significantly enhance their impact, particularly for managing NCDs in underserved regions. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Nhyira Yaw Adjei-Banuah Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Abdou Moussa Ismaguel Research Laboratory on Social Dynamics and Local Development Kezia Naa Amerley Akosua Amarteyfio Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Eugene Paa Kofi Bondzie Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Irene Agyepong Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons Aissa Diarra Research Laboratory on Social Dynamics and Local Development Tolib Mirzoev London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Angela Owusu-Ansah Ashesi University Martin McKee London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine |
