Mzimba South DHO to get 33 drones

Drones delivery company Jedsy Malawi says it will provide 33 drones to Mzimba South District Health Office (DHO) to facilitate delivery of drugs and vaccines as well as collection of samples for laboratory tests.

Speaking in an interview after briefing the DHO officials and traditional leaders on Saturday in Mzimba, Jedsy Malawi team leader Humphreys Shumba said each of the 33 health facilities in the district will get a drone.

He said: “We signed a memorandum of understanding [MoU] with the Ministry of Health to provide drones in health facilities in the country. We have been given Mzimba as the first district to pilot the project.

“The drones can travel 100 kilometres one way with a load capacity of five kilogrammes. With that, we are sure that the drone can collect samples and deliver vaccines and other medical supplies to and from the district’s health office and health centres effectively.”

Shumba said the company will be responsible for training staff on how to operate the drones and offer maintenance services when they break down.

“Once the project is implemented in Mzimba, it will also be extended to Nkhata Bay and Likoma districts in the first phase,” he said.

Mzimba South DHO spokesperson Ellings Nyirenda commended the drone technology project, saying it has come at the right time when the office is struggling to deliver medical supplies to remote areas in time.

He said: “We only have three functional ambulances which makes it difficult to deliver vaccines and collect samples from health centres.

“We are privileged to be the first health office to implement the drone technology project which will enable us to improve health service delivery in the district.”

Nyirenda said the office, in partnership with the company, will embark on awareness campaign to raise awareness among communities on the technology.

Village head Roosevelt Phiri said the development was a game-changer in health service delivery in the district.

“We will help to inform people about the project to avoid vandalism,” he said.