My Father’s Death Inspired Medical Drone Delivery Initiative – Dr. Bawumia

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has revealed that the tragic circumstances surrounding his father’s death were the driving force behind his push for Ghana’s medical drone delivery system. Speaking while campaigning in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency on Friday, Dr. Bawumia shared that his father passed away in 2002 after undergoing surgery in Tamale due to difficulties in accessing blood—a situation that deeply impacted him.

This personal experience, he explained, motivated him to introduce the drone initiative aimed at delivering essential medical supplies, including blood, to remote areas where access to timely healthcare is often a challenge. “We brought drones into Ghana to deliver medicines, vaccines, and blood. Many people were dying needlessly because they could not get medicine on time,” Dr. Bawumia said.

He highlighted how critical moments in medical emergencies, such as a snake bite on a farm or a mother needing blood during childbirth in a village, can mean life or death without immediate access to medical supplies.

Recalling his father’s situation, he recounted, “In 2002, my father had an operation in Tamale and was losing blood. We were looking for blood, but the blood bank was locked. We tried to find the operator but couldn’t.”

Upon learning about drone technology, Dr. Bawumia was inspired to explore its potential for medical deliveries. “When I heard about drones and Zipline and what they could do in delivering blood, I took my team to San Francisco. We met the Zipline company and convinced them to come to Ghana.”

Since its implementation, the drone system has set up six centres across the country, delivering critical medical supplies to 2,700 hospitals and health centres. “So far, the drones have flown 540,000 flights, saving lives every day,” Dr. Bawumia added.

The medical drone delivery system, a groundbreaking initiative in healthcare logistics, has played a pivotal role in reducing delays in accessing essential medicines and supplies in hard-to-reach areas, helping to prevent medical tragedies similar to what Dr. Bawumia’s family experienced.

Source: GhanaFeed.Com