Beyond numbers: a novel IoT and drone framework for enhancing healthcare logistics

Abstract

Efficient healthcare logistics, particularly for perishable medical supplies like blood bags, require innovative solutions to overcome the limitations of traditional cost-focused models. This study introduces an IoT-Drone framework that enhances adaptability, reliability, and sustainability in healthcare logistics. IoT sensors ensure continuous monitoring for quality assurance, while drones enable rapid last-mile delivery, bypassing challenges such as traffic congestion and limited infrastructure. Simulation results reveal a 78% reduction in delivery times and a 65% decrease in carbon emissions, demonstrating the framework's transformative potential in revolutionizing healthcare logistics. A hypothetical scenario illustrates its capacity to navigate logistical barriers in remote settings, ensuring timely delivery of life-saving supplies and improved patient care. Beyond healthcare, the framework’s adaptability extends to emergency response, vaccine distribution, and other critical sectors, offering scalable solutions for diverse logistical challenges. By addressing technical, regulatory, and infrastructural barriers through modular drone designs, hybrid transport models, and AI-driven route optimization, this study provides a robust foundation for real-world applications. Prioritizing real-time decision-making, operational resilience, and environmental sustainability, the IoT-Drone framework sets a new standard for global logistics. It offers a future-ready solution for delivering essential supplies to remote and unpredictable locations, redefining efficiency, reliability, and equity across industries.