The Gambia to explore medical drone logistics
The government of the West African country met with US firm ARDA to discuss the technology’s deployment
The Gambian Ministry of Health, Medical Research Council and the Gambia Red Cross Society met with US company ARDA to discuss the introduction of medical drone delivery services in the country.
The meeting, which took place on 16 May, also involved other stakeholders from the Ministries of Interior and Defence, as well as representatives from the Gambian Armed Forces and State Intelligence Service, according to a report by Gambian newspaper The Point.
ARDA will conduct a five-week program to demonstrate the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of such a drone logistics service in the Gambia, with the aim of eventually offering delivery services to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
“Drones are new technology and we intend to enable Gambians to operate the drone and want them to be accessible,” said Shubh Malde, CEO of ARDA.
Medical drone logistics are becoming increasingly widespread across Africa – a continent with vast rural areas and challenging terrain. Drone firm Zipline recently conducted a successful test flight in Kisumu County, Kenya, in February.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca is a Junior Editor at AirMed&Rescue. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.