Revolutionizing Healthcare: Medicines by Drones
According to UAE leaders in healthcare, drone delivery could soon be used to deliver medicines to UAE residents. According to Dr. Fatih Mehmet Gul, CEO of Fakeeh University Hospital (FUH), given Dubai’s emphasis on innovation, it will only be a matter of time before medicines are delivered by drone.
From the Healthcare facility in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), FUH tested drone delivery to deliver medicines to a patient’s home in Cedre Villas within a 10 km radius. The hospital will continue testing drone deliveries, but Dr. Fatih believes that the UAE population will have access to this delivery method in a matter of months. He stated, “You need the right provider, the right Government, and the right consumers for technology adoption.” Dubai has each of the three. Based on the demand and response we’ve seen, I think residents can anticipate receiving their medications via drones very soon.”
Dr. Fatih claims that the project was the result of two years of trial and error with the help of a number of organizations, such as the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Health Authority, and the Museum of Future, among others. Since the beginning, we have invested in technology,” Dr. Fatih stated. Therefore, when authorities approached us seeking a partner hospital, we joined immediately.”
Beginning to develop a drone delivery policy and procedure was the first task for FUH. Dr. Fatih stated, “We also had to map delivery points, particularly those in apartments and skyscrapers.” Medication is a very particular product that needs to be given to the right person at the right time. Therefore, we must be prepared to deal with the circumstances. Together with the authorities, we are putting in a lot of effort to get what is needed to the right person at the right time.
Additionally, he described the hospital’s testing of the delivery under various conditions. We were required to take a number of tests, and we are still testing,” he stated. We are putting it through its paces in a variety of weather conditions using a variety of medication and storage methods.
Dr. Fatih asserts that drone delivery services are urgently required. Everything has changed since the Covid-19 pandemic,” he stated. Online grocery stores have emerged. Points for cashiers have changed. My patient is the same person who orders supermarket delivery. Therefore, they also have high expectations for their hospital.”
According to Dr. Fatih, patients are unwilling to stand in a long line for medicines. He stated, “They want medication delivered.” We weren’t expecting a lot of demand when we started using robots to deliver medication, but we were surprised by how quickly people started using it. We must make greater efforts to comprehend and provide our patients’ requirements.”
Since the announcement was made, there has been a lot of interest in drone deliveries at the hospital. “The young people adore it,” Dr. Fatih stated. Particularly the fact that the medication is packed in the hospital and delivered to the customer without being handled by anyone else. Since the pandemic, much more people are using delivery without making eye contact.
The hospital is already receiving suggestions for what to include in the drone deliveries. According to Dr. Fatih, “We have heard from a lot of new mothers who want items added to the scope of drone delivery.” They have offered a variety of consumer goods. We can’t wait to see what the future brings.
