Medical drones not priority now – MP

Ranking Member on the Health Committee in Parliament, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, says medical drones for health delivery is not a priority at the moment.

The lawmaker explained that areas in Ghana without health facilities need health centers and not drones.

The Ministry of Health has signed a Letter of Intent with the developer and operator of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, popularly known as drones, to offer a drone-enabled supply chain solution in Ghana that will ensure secure, reliable and timely deliveries of essential health care products to hospitals and other health facilities.

The Service, which will be designed, installed and operated by USA-based Zipline International Inc. in partnership with the Ghana Health Service, will leverage technology to improve the supply chain of critical medical supplies, reduce waste and save lives.

In an interview with Ekourba Gyasi on Atinka AM Drive, Mr. Yieleh Chireh said the medical drones won't solve critical health issues being faced by rural communities.

“ These rural areas need hospitals, health centers amongst others. Where will the drones deliver these health materials to?”, he asked.

Chairman for the Health Committee in Parliament, Dr. Kwabena Twum Nuamah, however, said the use of drones will boost health delivery, especially in the rural areas.

He explained that the use of the road to transport drugs and health materials contributed to the high number of deaths, especially in Ghana.

Ghana will become the first country in West Africa, and the largest in the world, to use such a delivery system when it is fully deployed.

The system can also be employed to deliver other items such as urgent letters, examination papers and election materials such as ballot papers, officials maintain.