As part of its efforts towards ensuring improved healthcare services
across the state, Anambra state government is negotiating a
partnership with Zipline Company on drone delivery of drugs and other
essential medical commodities across hospitals in the state,
especially those in hard to reach areas.

Government House correspondent, Emmanuel Okonkwo reports that 
Zipline Company is an American company specialized in using drone to
deliver drugs and other essential medical commodities in hospitals
across accepted states or countries to prevent deaths resulting from
untimely delivery of drugs and other medical packages.

Speaking during his visit to the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke
at the Government House Awka, in company of the Anambra health team,
the African Lead Consultant  to  Zipline, Mr. Yaniv Gelnik explained
that with the drone, emergency situations could easily be saved, as
the drone could make about a thousand delivery a day, at a minimum of
twenty-five minutes, and maximum of forty minutes per delivery. 

Responding, Deputy Governor Okeke, who described the initiative as
interesting, observed that with the adoption of the drone delivery
services, hard to reach areas in the state would be easily accessed
and on time for proper and prompt medical attention to patients in the
areas.

Dr. Okeke assured that the state government will make all necessary
arrangements to key into the initiative as soon as possible, including
proper equipment of the state’s drug central store. 

In their remarks, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent
Okpala, and the Executive Secretary, Anambra State Health Insurance
Agency, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi described the latest initiative in the
Health Sector as laudable, noting that with the drone delivery
services, maternal and infant mortality will be reduced in the state.