The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has disclosed that his father’s death served as the inspiration for the medical drone delivery initiative.
Speaking at the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency in Accra, Dr. Bawumia clarified that his father’s inability to obtain blood caused him to pass away in 2002, following surgery in Tamale.
“In 2002, my father had an operation in Tamale and was losing blood. We were looking for blood, but the blood bank was locked”, he lamented.
He mentioned that this personal incident inspired him to support the implementation of the drone delivery system, which guarantees the fast delivery of medical supplies, and blood.
“We tried to find the operator but couldn’t find him. So when I heard about drones and Zipline and what they could do in delivering blood, I took my team and went to San Francisco”, he stated.
“We met the Zipline company and convinced them to come to Ghana and set up six drone centers in Ghana. We have six drone centers that are delivering blood, medicines, and vaccines to 2,700 hospitals and health centers in Ghana. Every day we are saving lives. So far, the drones have flown 540,000 flights,” he added.
During the campaign, he made it known that the project was to prevent others from similar medical situations.
“We brought drones into Ghana to deliver medicines, vaccines, and blood. Many people were dying needlessly because they could not get medicine on time. A snake can bite you on the farm and you need medicine, and anti-snake serum immediately. A mother can be giving birth in the village and needs blood immediately”, he declared.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Mary Asantewaa Buabeng
