ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
A technology firm, Zipline, in collaboration with Sterling Bank, Health Spaces and DrugStoc for the Bayelsa Health Supply Chain Transformation Project (BHSCTP), is set to deploy drone technology to fast-track distribution of medical supplies in rural and coastal communities in Bayelsa State.
The project, estimated to cost $5m, is to be provided by the consortium of firms.
Zipline and others are expected to provide a 21st century supply system and other supply chains using drone technology in the distribution of cost-effective pharmaceuticals in the state.Â
Speaking during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) underpinning the project, Senior Vice President (Africa), Zipline, Mr Daniel Marfo, explained that the company and the other two firms were coming together to provide a supply chain that is adaptive, resilient and serves the health needs of the people in the area of health product distribution.
He said the $5m investment by the consortium members is to improve access to healthcare, adding that products could be provided within 30 minutes upon request.
Marfo said: “Virtually, 100% of Bayelsans will be covered irrespective of where they are located in the state. Whatever medicine or vaccines that need to get to them within 30 minutes will get to them.
“For me, that is just an amazing transformation. One day, Bayelsa would actually be in the place where others are, getting their medical supplies to remote areas seamlessly. The real thing about this project is to ensure that the healthcare workers in the field are not frustrated. One of the frustrating things is being out in the field seeing people suffering and you do not have the commodities to give to them.
“We now have a chance to change that and I believe we are all going to get that opportunity and work on it. But it is not just about the healthcare goals, we are also looking at strengthening the ecosystem by investing dollars to put up these centres.
“As we did in other places like Ghana, only Bayelsa people will work in those centres be it engineers, health care practitioners and others. They also deserve a chance in the evolving of the technology as it goes along.”