The integration of drones with other technology interventions in health systems has the potential to support access to universal health coverage. (Photo credit: Messinis/Matternet)
The integration of drones with other technology interventions in health systems has the potential to support access to universal health coverage. (Photo credit: Messinis/Matternet) - The use of drones in global health settings has rapidly evolved in the past years. As drone technology continues to expand beyond the military and recreational sectors, it is foreseen that it will have a significant role to play in healthcare delivery. A project supported by Swiss TPH tested the usefulness of drones in transporting tuberculosis drugs and diagnostic samples in Madagascar, and has found that in combination with other innovative interventions, they can be both cost-effective and contribute towards the goal of universal health coverage. Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading infectious disease killer globally, surpassing HIV/AIDS and malaria, with 10 million new cases estimated in 2019. Among those, three million cases are undiagnosed or unreported and thus contribute to the continued epidemic. Innovative interventions are needed as conventional approaches alone are predicted to fail to meet the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating TB by 2035.
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