Drones Help Improve Healthcare Logistics Efficiency

BERA, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- The use of drones to transport medical samples between hospitals can help improve the efficiency of healthcare logistics, particularly by reducing delivery time.

Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kasim said the initiative was carried out under a Proof of Concept (POC) project by Alphaswift Industries Sdn Bhd, involving drone deliveries between Bera Hospital and Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh.

“Tests found that drone delivery can save about 20 minutes compared with land transportation over a distance of about 20 kilometres. 

“Various aspects were also evaluated during the POC, including delivery time, sample quality, test result accuracy and logistics, to compare air and land delivery methods,” he told a press conference after the Medical Drone Delivery Project Recognition Ceremony at Bera Hospital here today.

Razali said drone technology also offered advantages during natural disasters, traffic congestion or road disruptions, as deliveries by air can continue despite such conditions.

He said the initiative, which was still in the testing stage, was carried out in several phases, beginning with a drop test on Dec 11 last year, followed by flight and delivery tests on Jan 22 and a medical drone crash response exercise on Feb 11 to ensure the system’s safety and effectiveness.

However, Razali said the official use of drones to deliver medical samples by the Ministry of Health (MOH) required further study, including on cost-effectiveness, regulatory requirements and funding.

He said further studies should take into account the cost of land delivery, including the use of vehicles, drivers and fuel, to provide a more comprehensive cost comparison.

Razali said the next test would be conducted in Tawau, Sabah, while other locations in Pahang and other states could be considered based on logistical suitability and local conditions.

Alphaswift Industries, in a statement, said the project was the first of its kind in Malaysia to transport blood samples between two hospitals, highlighting the potential of the technology to improve healthcare logistics.

The project, carried out in collaboration with the MOH, is an important step towards exploring the use of new technology to support healthcare delivery, particularly the transportation of medical materials and samples between health facilities.

--BERNAMA