TECH

Drones are distributing UNICEF vaccines and saving lives

The government of the Vanuatu archipelago in Oceania has pioneered contracts with international drone service companies to use the devices as "mail pigeons" in the distribution of vaccines, children living in rural environments, scattered throughout the remote islands of region. The archipelago consists of 83 islands scattered along 1,300 square kilometers.The experiment, which if successful will replicate in other regions of the globe, will allow the delivery of temperature-sensitive vaccines to 39 villages, which otherwise would take days to arrive between car, boat or even on foot. The services provided by the drones promise deliveries to the recipient within an hour after the request, carried out through message.UNICEF has explored drones' potential to bring health resources to places harder to reach by traditional methods and where logistics prove challenging. In the case of vaccines, the entity states that they were chosen in the delivery test program because they are delicate, expensive and difficult to carry safely, especially due to temperature requirements. Of course, this could pose risks, from the loss of drones in remote mountains or the sea, said Andrew Parker, UNICEF operations manager, The Guardian.There are other challenges associated with the use of drones, from the landing where they are needed, the acceptance of the population or even the danger of being killed by the kids with slings, says the responsible. Therefore, there is a whole logistics of "training" and awareness of the targeted populations, so that they do not be scared to see in the sky "spaceships".

According to one contractor, Swoop Aero (the other is Wingcopter), the drones will make two deliveries a day, traversing distances of up to 100 kilometers, carrying about 2.5 kilos of medicines. Blood can be another transportable element by drone, either for transfusions or simple samples to analyze in laboratories. In Rwanda the blood transport by drones to remote communities is already used, having received the name of "Uber for Blood".




Sapo/mundophone