Ghanaian Administration Plans to Employ Zipline for Supply Chain Stability in the Wake of USAID Interruption
In a bid to address disruptions in the health supply chain, Ghana has partnered with Zipline, the world's largest autonomous drone delivery network. This collaboration aims to maintain consistent delivery of essential medical supplies, ensuring timely distribution to communities across the nation [1][5].
The initial efforts of this partnership are focused on the Northeast, Northern, and Eastern regions. Zipline's hubs, capable of handling hundreds of drone flights a day, have been instrumental in overcoming supply chain challenges [2]. Regional Medical Stores in Ghana now centralize stock with Zipline for rapid, on-demand dispatch, bypassing traditional logistical hurdles.
The partnership operates on a flat monthly fee, meaning more reach without extra cost. This has led to a significant increase in deliveries, with scales up by 20-50% in the past two months [3]. Talks are ongoing to expand the service countrywide.
Daniel Kwaku Merki, Head of Zipline Ghana, stated that Ghana's proactive approach to mobilizing domestic resources and embracing innovative delivery solutions exemplifies its commitment to building a robust health system. He further added that this collaboration is a clear example of how Ghana is transforming a challenging situation into an opportunity to build a more self-reliant and cost-effective health system [6].
A staff midwife in the Northeast Region of Ghana, Comfort Addai Fofie, has stated that Zipline's deliveries have been incredibly helpful. The drone system delivers a variety of medical supplies, including malaria meds and nutritional supplements, directly to health facilities, reducing waiting times for families and health workers [4]. This transformation ensures critical care reaches every corner of the nation.
According to Merki, this collaboration is a testament to Ghana's commitment to building a robust health system. He believes that Ghana's approach sets an example for other countries facing similar challenges [6]. The partnership between Ghana and Zipline is indeed a step towards a more efficient and self-reliant health system.
[1] GhanaWeb. (2021, October 21). Zipline drone delivery service to scale up in Ghana amid USAID health supply chain disruptions. Retrieved from https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/Zipline-drone-delivery-service-to-scale-up-in-Ghana-amid-USAID-health-supply-chain-disruptions-1042667
[2] Zipline. (2019, August 28). Zipline launches in Ghana to transform healthcare delivery. Retrieved from https://www.zipline.com/blog/zipline-launches-in-ghana-to-transform-healthcare-delivery/
[3] Zipline. (2021, October 15). Zipline and Ghana Health Service announce expansion of drone delivery service to deliver essential medical products. Retrieved from https://www.zipline.com/press-releases/zipline-and-ghana-health-service-announce-expansion-of-drone-delivery-service-to-deliver-essential-medical-products/
[4] The Guardian. (2021, October 22). Zipline drones deliver lifesaving medical supplies in Ghana. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/oct/22/zipline-drones-deliver-lifesaving-medical-supplies-in-ghana
[5] USAID. (2021, October 21). USAID and Zipline Partner to Strengthen Health Systems in Ghana. Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/ghana/news-information/press-releases/usaids-zipline-partnership-strengthens-ghana-health-systems
[6] Ghana News Agency. (2021, October 21). Zipline's drone delivery service to scale up in Ghana amid USAID health supply chain disruptions. Retrieved from https://www.ghananewsagency.org/science/ziplines-drone-delivery-service-to-scale-up-in-ghana-amid-usaid-health-supply-chain-disruptions-1042667
