In what looked like a marvel of modern healthcare delivery, Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has hailed the successful use of drone technology in delivering life-saving antivenom to an NDC organizer who was bitten by a venomous snake.
It happened in one of the remote areas of the country, where this official of the NDC, who was attending to some party activities, unexpectedly received an attack from a snake. The victim, whose identity has been withheld, suddenly developed symptoms of severe poisoning that needed the prompt administration of antivenom to avoid fatal consequences.
The GHS, therefore, declared an emergency and, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority, activated a drone to deliver the needed medical supplies. The drone was sent from a nearby medical center that took about 70 kilometers in record time.
The successful surgery was part of a trial meant to improve access to health care services in inaccessible areas of the country. The drone was also fitted with antivenom and other medical provisions critical in such a situation and considerably reduced time that would have been spent accessing the victim by means of traditional ground transportation.
Vice President Bawumia, who has been an ardent advocate for the adoption of innovative technologies in Ghana, praised the swiftness with which the drone delivery system has responded to needs effectively. "This is a testament to how far we have come in leveraging technology to improve the lives of our citizens, especially in remote areas," Bawumia said. "As such, by delivering lifesaving medications through the use of drones, we continue to save lives as well as smoothen the way to a more efficient health care delivery system."
The use of drones to deliver medical supplies forms part of the government's broader strategy to improve access to healthcare in underserved regions. With this operation going well, there's growing optimism about the potential of drones to transform emergency medical response and supply chain management across Ghana.
The timely and efficient delivery ensured that the NDC organizer who received the antivenom in time is reported to be in a stable condition. This is indeed one important milestone that demonstrates Ghana's strides towards integrating technology into its vital sectors, one of which is health.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0