Now medicine shipments reach their destinations via drones

'It could be a gamechanger'.

Uganda has announced a new project using drones to deliver HIV medicines to its most remote areas.

The first drone took off last week, carrying medicines out to 78 community groups and health facilities across the widely scattered Ssese islands, which have the highest HIV prevalence in the country.

The delivery of antiretroviral drugs and healthcare is difficult, weather-dependent and risky for healthcare workers, as travel into the region - 60 miles from the capital, Kampala - is possible only by boat.

The Uganda Medical Association has welcomed the drones, but expressed concern over drug shortages due to inadequate funding. Its secretary general Mukuzi Muhereza said: “We are welcoming it. It’s very important and it could be a gamechanger. It would be nice to see whether it really works with our bad network and connectivity.

“Realistically I think we are not giving enough money to national medical stores to purchase drugs and supplies for every Ugandan that needs it. The biggest change would be if we can enhance the budget and make sure we have what [we need] to send.”

...The Guardian