Drones Are Whizzing Lifesaving Supplies Across the 'Last Mile'

High-tech drones from the organization Zipline are delivering medical supplies — from vaccinations to blood and other necessary equipment — to hospitals in traditionally hard to reach areas. The drones can make an hour long trip in 10 to 30 minutes, making the delivery service a valuable tool in emergency situations.

In 2020, Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency installed a 50-kilowatt solar-hybrid system at Gombe State Specialist Hospital, providing uninterrupted electricity to critical units, including the ICU and emergency departments. Since its installation, maternal mortality dropped from 15-20 deaths monthly to 1-2 per month, and neonatal deaths also decreased from 50 to 20-25 monthly. The system has also helped healthcare workers perform life-saving surgeries without interruption, as these surgeries were often delayed or impossible due to power outages.

Eight Medical is a technology-driven emergency medical service that uses real-time communication systems to deliver ambulance services within 10 minutes or less. The service has 45 control center staff, over 400 field personnel, and over 25 ambulances, and operates under a “care now, pay later” scheme, making emergency healthcare more affordable. Since launching, it has received over 15,000 calls and saved about 8,000 lives by providing fast, life-saving care.

In 2022, Kisumu County partnered with Zipline to deliver anti-rabies medications via drones, in an effort to combat rabies cases from dog bites. In addition to drone medication delivery, the County also works with over 2,800 Community Health Workers to visit residents at their homes and educate them on rabies and treatment. As a result, dog-related rabies deaths dropped to zero in 2023 and recorded cases have significantly decreased.

Emergency Response Africa connects patients with first responders, ambulances and emergency-ready hospitals so they can get the care they need as quickly as possible. A 24-hour command center that can be reached by phone or mobile app dispatches the emergency response team of trained paramedics, which then brings the patient to one of the 82 verified emergency hospitals. Since it was established in 2021, Emergency Response Africa has received 1,243 emergency calls.

In an effort to improve inequities in access to healthcare, the local government partnered with forces in Germany to create a drone project that uses artificial intelligence to deliver medical supplies to remote, rural areas, including antibiotics, pregnancy tests and pain medicine. So far this collaboration has carried out 166 supply deliveries.

Zipline International partnered with local government to use drones to deliver medical supplies to rural health facilities to ensure everyone has access to the resources they need, from hospital supplies to vaccines, drastically reducing the amount it takes to get much-needed supplies.

DIY solutions can overcome the scarcity of medical resources in developing countries and save lives. A simple solution such as replacing expensive uterine balloons with more readily accessible condoms has already helped to give thousands of mothers access to a potentially life-saving medical procedure preventing postpartum hemorrhage. The transfer of this and other proven DIY solutions can help cut health-care costs in more affluent countries with low-cost innovations.

Enugu State is addressing healthcare access gaps and high maternal mortality by establishing 260 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centers, with 100 already completed. These fully-equipped facilities provide 24-hour care with essential medications and reliable utilities. As part of the initiative, the Centers are also recruiting 2,200 healthcare workers, training over 1,800 staff members in safe delivery and contraceptive methods, introducing AI-assisted ultrasound screening and implementing affordable health insurance. Since opening in March 2025, one center alone has served over 690 people.

The Health Emergency Initiative (HEI) responds to health emergencies and pays for medical bills for those who can’t afford them, helping ensure they’re not turned away from the hospital. HEI currently supports 78 hospitals across 12 states, and has intervened in 3,750 emergency road and home accident cases, paying medical bills for 33,500 patients.