Where We Work | Program
Drones for Health in Mozambique
Drones Accelerate Diagnosis of COVID-19 in Mozambique
Maputo, Mozambique (April 21, 2022) – Today the National Health Institute (INS), the Health Sector of Inhambane, VillageReach and Swoop Aero, started the second phase of the study for the use of drones to transport laboratory samples for infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, tuberculosis,...
Drones for Health Deliver: Fundraising Campaign with Focusing Philanthropy Takes Flight
Today, VillageReach and Focusing Philanthropy launched a campaign to raise $2 million. The Drones for Health Deliver campaign aims to increase equitable access to health products and diagnostics for 700,000 people in hard-to-reach areas in Malawi and Mozambique via drone technology.
Drones for Health — Exchanging ideas to advance this frontier technology
Originally posted on Medium.com Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are an emerging technology that hold a lot of promise to improve access to health care for the most underserved populations in hard-to-reach areas. Additionally, it can provide time savings in critical situations in...Background
In 2018, VillageReach began working with the Government of Mozambique to explore how drones could strengthen laboratory sample transportation systems in hard-to-reach areas. The Mozambique National Institute of Health and VillageReach are partnering with the Inhambane Provincial Department of Health to accelerate COVID-19 laboratory testing in Mozambique. Six hard-to-reach district hospitals and health facilities receive daily collection of laboratory samples via two drone hubs in Inhambane Province.
People inspecting drone in field in DRC. (Photo Credit: Henry Sempngi Sanyulye)
How It Works
- Every day, drones collect COVID-19 and other laboratory samples from six hard-to-reach district hospitals and health facilities in Inhambane province.
- Each drone can travel up to 130 km carrying 3 kg (6.6 lb) /5212 cm3, averaging more than 100 km/hour.
- Laboratory samples are delivered to sample collection points, where they are transported by ground to the laboratory for testing.
Resources
Optimizing Specimen Referral in Mozambique with Drones
Lessons learned in the transportation of healthcare products by drones
Quality Analysis of Tuberculosis Specimens Transported by Drones versus Ground Transportation
Drones for Health: Boosting Access to Lifesaving Products
Insights Before Flights: How Community Perceptions Can Make or Break Medical Drone Deliveries
How to select a drone service provider
UAVs for Laboratory Sample Transport in Mozambique: Pilot Story
Program Impact
Phase 2 Drone Program Results*
*from 30 Dec 2020 – 31 May 2022
Partners
Government
- Mozambique Instituto Nacional de Saúde
- Inhambane Provincial Department of Health
- Mozambique Ministry of Health
- Mozambique Civil Aviation Authority
- Amovant
Technical Partners
- Swoop Aero
Donors
- Focusing Philanthropy
- UK Aid
- Frontier Technology Livestreaming
Previous Partners
Government
- None
Technical Partners
- None
Donors
- Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Related Global Impact
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