Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has revealed that health facilities in the county are set to start using drones to distribute medical supplies.
In a statement on Tuesday, April 22, the Governor confirmed that the County Executive Committee has approved a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Zipline International Kenya, which will facilitate the initiation of the project.
According to Wanga, phase one of the project is expected to reach 84 designated facilities in the county, ensuring that medical supplies are delivered swiftly to even the most remote parts.
"The meeting approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Zipline International Kenya to enhance health emergency responses using drone technology. This initiative will facilitate the distribution of essential medications and blood products to remote healthcare facilities across the county," she stated.
"The initial phase of this project aims to reach 84 designated health facilities, ensuring that emergency medicines and supplies can be delivered swiftly, even to locations that are difficult to access due to geographical challenges or adverse weather conditions," she added.
According to Wanga, the drones will ensure that medical supplies arrive at their destination within 50 Minutes.
"The targeted delivery time for these essential products is between 20 to 50 minutes, significantly improving access to critical healthcare services," she stated.
Wanga's announcement comes days after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe also announced that the ministry plans to deploy drones to collect critical soil data in the country.
Kagwe, who spoke during a meeting with a delegation from the Rockefeller Foundation on Tuesday, April 8, said that the government will collaborate with aviation companies in the country to equip drones with the necessary software to launch the project.
According to Kagwe, shifting from traditional methods of soil data collection, using labs, to a more technologically evolved system will be more efficient for farmers.
The CS said that once the drones have collected the data, they will relay the information to the farmers through their mobile phones.
"I believe the use of technology today is much easier because we can send information through our phones, just like how we are sending information about fertiliser. There’s no reason why we can't extend that to their soils and everything else they are doing," he said.
