Online Reporter
Takudzwa Mangrozah
Herald Reporter
ZIMBABWE is moving to integrate drone technology into its healthcare delivery system with local firm, Drone Solutions, unveiling a nationwide initiative covering up to 200 kilometres.
The system aims to transport blood, vaccines and emergency medical supplies to remote and hard-to-reach areas in record time.
The development marks a shift towards modernising health logistics, as Government and private sector players move to close long-standing gaps in last-mile delivery, where hard to reach places have often experienced delayed access to critical supplies.
Speaking during a demonstration, Bvumavaranda Bukamoyo, Drone Solutions sales and marketing executive, said, “The drones are capable of transporting a wide range of medical supplies, including blood.”
The initiative is expected to significantly improve response times in emergencies, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“The project is supposed to be done throughout Zimbabwe. So we are here today to show how it works,” he said.
The programme is designed to create a high-speed “aerial bridge” capable of delivering temperature-sensitive medical supplies with clinical precision.
The system is expected to reduce delivery times from hours to under 30 minutes, ensuring timely interventions in life-threatening situations.
Beyond Zimbabwe, Drone Solutions is also expanding its operations across the SADC region, taking over drone delivery services in countries such as Malawi, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The regional integration is expected to streamline the movement of critical medical cargo across borders, strengthen healthcare systems, and position Zimbabwe as a leader in drone-enabled logistics.
The expansion is also set to contribute to economic growth through job creation and skills development, with the initiative expected to generate employment opportunities in areas such as drone piloting, operations and logistics management, while also supporting the growth of a technology-driven sector.
Bukamoyo, said the company was already working closely with the Government to roll out the initiative.
“This is a demo as a run-up to the deployment of the whole big thing,” he said, adding that the company has already been working with the Ministry of Health, including training personnel to operate drone systems.
