A Community Health Officer at Ijiraga Community Primary Healthcare Centre, Yala Local Government Area, Mr Augustine Okutu, revealed that the use of drone technology is narrowing the vaccination gap in rural Cross River.
Okutu made this statement on Monday during a visit by journalists to the site to assess the effectiveness of Zipline-powered drones in enhancing the delivery of vaccines, drugs, and other medical supplies in rural areas.
Tribune Online gathered that Zipline is one of the world’s largest autonomous delivery systems, specializing in on-demand drone delivery. It partnered with the government of Cross River, establishing its facility in Ndok in Ogoja LGA to support the government in fulfilling its mandate of providing healthcare access to rural dwellers.
According to the community health officer, the drone system has reduced the need for extensive promotion of the importance of vaccination and immunization in rural areas.
“The dramatic way in which the drones drop the vaccines from the sky serves as an advertisement for us; people believe that the vaccines and drugs dropping from the sky are more sophisticated.
“Now, there is an increased demand for immunization and vaccination with the vaccines delivered by the drones, rather than those from our cold chain stores,” Okutu stated.
Further, Okutu mentioned that the drone technology has saved them the cost of leaving the health facility to seek drugs and other medical needs. He explained that people trust the items delivered by the drones, eliminating concerns about acquiring fake or expired drugs.
Similarly, Mr. Raphael Obok, the Focal Person for the Primary Healthcare Centre in Nfuma, Yala LGA, noted that the response to vaccination has increased as people now voluntarily come for vaccination.
“We no longer travel to obtain drugs and vaccines; from the comfort of our facility, we simply call or text Zipline, and within minutes, we receive what we need through drone delivery.
“The drone technology fulfills all the parameters of primary healthcare, including affordability, availability, and accessibility,” he said.
In an earlier interview, Cross River Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, commended Zipline’s efforts in the state, stating that they strengthened healthcare delivery. He added that the state was consolidating plans to establish another Zipline facility in Akamkpa Local Government Area to serve the Southern Senatorial District of the state.
