Use of technology in delivery to increase efficiency, reduce wastage - CS Nakhumicha

Health CS Susan Nakhumicha has reaffirmed the commitment by the government to increase technology in delivery of essential supplies.

Nakhumicha has noted that the use of technology will increase efficiency, reduce wastage and expand supplies reach at the grassroots.

This comes after the CS on Thursday witnessed how Zipline, a drone logistics delivery company, is using drones to safely deliver medical supplies to various destinations in the country.

“Expanding these kinds of partnerships will make delivery of supplies such as vaccines, infusions, whole blood, platelets and frozen plasma among others more efficient and timelier despite terrains thus helping save more lives and improve overall health outcomes,” Nakhumicha said.

According to the ministry, Zipline has made more than 6,300 deliveries with each of these deliveries representing an unquantifiable impact on patients, health care providers, the communities and the health system at large.

This comes even as the company this week reached a monumental achievement with its one-millionth delivery to customers, signifying a significant leap forward in the logistics delivery sector.

Zipline has firmly established itself as a disruptive leader in the industry.

The CEO Keller Rinaudo has reaffirmed the company's commitment to key markets such as healthcare, quick commerce and food delivery, noting that the vision is to achieve 1 million deliveries per day.

"The three areas where the incentive really makes the most sense today are health care, quick commerce, and food," Rinaudo said.

In Kenya, Zipline's collaborations with the Elton John AIDS Foundation have facilitated the delivery of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment products, empowering individuals to manage their health effectively.

Teaming up with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Zipline focuses on reaching children in remote regions, ensuring equitable access to life-saving immunisations.

In Rwanda, Zipline serves as a lifeline, delivering 75 per cent of the country’s blood supply outside of Kigali, drastically reducing maternal mortality rates due to postpartum hemorrhage by 88 per cent.