Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned two more drone distribution centres for Zipline Ghana in Anum and Kete Krachi.
“When the government, led by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, satisfied itself with the knowledge behind Zipline’s innovation and how it will improve access to vital medical supplies, we became interested and more eager to ensure that the good people of Ghana benefit from this innovation,” Dr Bawumia said.
“When I look at the tremendous success since 2019, I can only thank God for the foresight and the bold decision to move forward with this [Zipline] project. I am sure by now even the ardent critics of the innovation have come to terms with the benefits of this project.
“Never again should we allow ourselves to be divided by politics when discussing the health of our people. When a snake is about to bite you, it does not ask whether you are NPP or NDC or CPP,” he declared.
The vice-president, who was speaking at Nyagbo Sroe in the Afadjato South District of the Volta Region, said unhealthy criticism accompanied the government’s decision to implement the drone medical delivery service to address emergencies and hard-to-reach communities, including claims that the drones would take pictures of people in their bathrooms. This could have led to the deaths of thousands of Ghanaians, including expectant mothers, victims of snakebites and people with COVID-19.
“From Omenako to Mpanya, Vobsi to Sefwi Wiawso, and now Anum to Kete Krachi, Zipline drones have been almost everywhere, flying over hills and valleys to bring health care closer to the people,” Bawumia said. “Since Zipline started the drone deliveries, the challenges of travelling for vaccine inoculation and the delay in vaccine delivery have been resolved.
“I have been informed that, as at the end of February 2022, Zipline has made more than two million deliveries of life-saving medical products, saving hundreds of thousands of lives and limbs. Aside these, other medical supplies like blood, anti-snake venom and PPE have been transported with ease to government health facilities within the period.
“Also importantly, over 300 high-quality jobs have been created, and I am happy to say that all the distribution centres are manned 100% by Ghanaians. I am also informed that Ghanaian staff are at the forefront of Zipline expansion to Nigeria, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire,” Bawumia said.
The two new centres, in Anum and Kete Krachi, will serve all health facilities within the Afram Plains area, as well as many other hard-to-reach communities in almost all parts of the Volta Region, most parts of the Eastern Region, and parts of the Oti and Savannah Regions, ensuring almost complete national coverage.
Bawumia thanked the leadership and staff of the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and other leading stakeholders in health delivery for their continued dedication and patriotism, especially after the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ghana, he said, is eternally grateful.
The country manager for Zipline Ghana, Naa Adorkor Yawson, announced that after three years of service to over 2,300 health facilities in 147 districts across 13 regions, the company will launch home delivery services later this year to make speedy access to essential medication even easier.
Asaase Radio 99.5 – tune in or log on to broadcasts online
99.5 in Accra, 101.5 in Bawku, 99.9 in Bimbilla, 100.3 in Cape Coast, 90.7 in Ho, 98.5 in Kumasi, 99.7 in Tamale, 89.5 in Tarkwa and 106.9 in Walewale
Join the conversation. Call: 020 000 9951 or 059 415 7777. Or WhatsApp: 020 000 0995.
#AsaaseRadio
#TheVoiceofOurLand