IMPORTANCE OF DRONES IN HEALTHCARE DELIVERY AMID A PANDEMIC: CURRENT AND GENERATION NEXT APPLICATION

Abstract

A drone is an aircraft controlled from a distance without a human pilot onboard using devices ingrained with software flight protocols. Outside the military, it lately just started to reach the relevancy of conventional businesses. The healthcare sector is an industry where this capacity is needed particularly in a pandemic in providing a responsive healthcare service in a contact-free manner. Also, delivery of blood supplies, vaccines, medications and other medical supplies to rural areas with no access to health facilities is made possible by the use of drones as they can navigate through difficult barriers such as buildings and bridges as well as areas that have been rendered inaccessible by conventional land and air transport. Drones have triggered a swift advancement in a variety of commercial, recreational and industrial applications with its capability to effectively put together real-time information on events at a low cost. However, its breakthrough in healthcare has been slower compared to other sectors where drones have been used extensively. Hence, this review is aimed at emphasizing the importance of drones in healthcare delivery noting its current and future usability. In this paper, a systematic review of relevant literatures was employed. Findings suggests that drones have been used effectively in healthcare viz a viz: enabling transportation of birth control, biopsy for emergency surgeries and other medical and laboratory supplies within few minutes. Considering the current global situation (COVID-19 pandemic), the future might experience more outpatient care and perhaps home-based care previously admitted in hospitals. Test results, medication­­s and other treatment ordered by physicians may be couriered to patient’s residence via drones. In conclusion, drones offer a variety of exciting opportunities; delivery of medical and laboratory supplies, blood products including biopsy for emergency surgeries is just a starting point. Drones have the capability to evolve medical care as well as propel advancement in the health industry.