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First integrated
drone-based transportation
solution for laboratory
samples and medical supplies
in Africa
(Dubai, UAE) -
Siemens
Healthineers
to collaborate with German
drone manufacturer and
service provider
Wingcopter to pilot an
integrated drone delivery
solution for healthcare
facilities throughout
Africa; 2-way delivery
system transporting blood
samples, vaccines, and
pharmaceuticals to improve
access to sample analysis,
accelerate diagnosis and
allow faster treatment for
rural communities.
Siemens Healthineers Middle
East, Southern & Eastern
Africa and Wingcopter GmbH
have signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) to
develop and roll out an
integrated drone delivery
solution to transport
various laboratory
diagnostics materials as
well as other medical
supplies in Africa. The
combination of Siemens
Healthineers’ Laboratory
Diagnostics testing
capabilities and
Wingcopter’s drone delivery
services will provide
improved diagnostics and
faster treatment. The
solution will adopt the
latest in digital technology
provided by Siemens
Healthineers and Wingcopter
from highly automated drone
delivery to Laboratory
Information Systems which
will accurately track and
report results directly to
the patients.
Ole
Maloy, Managing Director of
Siemens Healthineers Middle
East, Southern & Eastern
Africa, said, “At Siemens
Healthineers, we are
committed to providing
access to care for everyone.
Our partnership with
Wingcopter will look to
bridge the existing gaps in
healthcare infrastructure,
providing equitable and
affordable access to
diagnostic testing and
medical supplies.”
The utilization of
Wingcopter’s delivery drones
interconnected with Siemens
Healthineers’ laboratory
diagnostics facilities will
allow for quick and
automated 2-way delivery of
samples, medicine and other
medical products. The
battery-powered drones will
be operated by Wingcopter,
covering a range of up to 75
kilometers while maintaining
the cold chain at all times.
These sustainable and
efficient drone delivery
networks will allow for the
centralization of sample
testing and medical
consumables distribution,
resulting in improved access
to diagnosis, faster
turnaround time, increased
efficiency and reduction in
costs.
Tom Plümmer,
CEO and Co-founder of
Wingcopter GmbH comments,
“We are convinced that we
have found the perfect
partner for our bold
ambitions to improve and
save the lives of millions
of people on the African
continent and beyond.
Partnering with Siemens
Healthineers will bring us a
big step closer to the goal
we are working tirelessly
towards: to make a real
social impact worldwide for
those who need it most
through fast, reliable and
sustainable drone delivery
networks in the sky.”
Roughly half of the
world's population still
lack access to essential
health services such as
timely diagnostic services,
according to a report from
the World Bank and WHO.
While accessibility for
diagnostic testing will
increase, the drone delivery
solution will also have a
positive impact on the UN
Sustainable Development
Goals, from access to
health, to potential
reductions in carbon
footprint and the risk of
road accidents, to capacity
building on drone
operations. Wingcopter
intends to train and upskill
local young people, creating
jobs and perspectives in the
fast-growing drone industry.
In doing so, Wingcopter is
following the company’s
approach in Malawi, where
operations are run by an
all-local, majority-female
crew.
The exact time
and place of the first
deployment of drone-based
lab sample deliveries will
be announced in due time.
Source: APO Group
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