‘ Timely Delivery Of Medical Supplies With Zipline Drones Has Revolutionised Healthcare Services Offering In Bayelsa’

ACCESS to healthcare is a crucial component in achieving Universal Health Coverage, yet millions of individuals throughout Africa encounter considerable obstacles in accessing medical services at any given time. For communities marginalised due to poor access routes, unreliable traditional methods of medical logistics delivery and inadequate storage systems, the situation remains dire.

On January 29, 2022, the Bayelsa State government signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) with a logistics delivery company, Zipline, to enhance the preservation of crucial cold chain medications and expand the distribution of essential medical supplies to remote health facilities across the state.

Zipline has since built and operationalised its first distribution centre in 2023 from where more than 13, 500 deliveries of medical supplies including 537,000 doses of vaccines to 210 health facilities have been made. There have been some other notable improvements in health offerings, particularly evidenced by a reduction in the mortality rate since the start of the Zipline operations in 2023.

In an exclusive engagement, Dr. Pabara Netson Igwele, a distinguished public health specialist and an alumnus of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, who is also the immediate past Commissioner for Health in Bayelsa State, shared insights on how the drone delivery of medical products to remote hospitals is improving health outcomes in Bayelsa. Igwele also elaborated on the measures implemented by the state government to combat high mortality rates in rural and riverine areas since the partnership began. Excerpts:

Sir, briefly introduce yourself and your area of medical specialisation?

I am Dr. Pabara Netson Igwele, immediate past Commissioner for Health, Bayelsa State. I studied Medicine and Surgery from the prestigious University of Port Harcourt and I am currently a Public Health specialist. In 2020, I was appointed as Commissioner for Health for the first time by the former Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and during that time, I worked tirelessly to deliver on my mandate. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our people and I am excited about the things we have achieved together.

While serving as commissioner, Bayelsa established a partnership with Zipline to deliver medical supplies to hospitals in the state. How did the partnership with Zipline come about and what were the initial challenges in bringing this innovative solution to the state?

First, let me express my gratitude to Zipline and Governor Douye Diri for believing in our vision. The genesis of this partnership was rooted in a meeting I attended in Abuja after my swearing- in as Commissioner for Health in 2020. Upon returning, I shared my vision with Governor Diri, emphasising the need for a health summit to address the dire health situation in Bayelsa State. Bayelsa at that time was grappling with the most alarming health indicators nationwide. Credit to the governor for his bold leadership in presenting unfiltered data during the health summit, which showed the stark reality of our healthcare challenges. It is evident that no government can single- handedly fulfill the health needs of its populace; this is why partnership and support are essential. In the lead- up to the summit, I was in Abuja actively engaging potential partners to

contribute presentations aimed at bolstering Bayelsa’s health reforms.

During the preparation for the summit, I was introduced to key individuals by my colleague from Cross River State, Dr. Beta Edu. This introduction led me to some executives from Zipline. Their expertise and insights convinced us of the potential of drone delivery in our challenging terrain, especially in reaching remote communities where traditional logistics faced severe constraints.

Additionally, we went to Ghana to see what they were doing there already and decided it was good to replicate in Bayelsa State. I came home with that zeal, and shared videos of the experience with the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Government House, Dr. Peter Akpe, who was very instrumental in documentation processes, after several roundtable meetings.

How has the implementation of Zipline’s drone delivery system impacted healthcare offering in Bayelsa State and what notable achievements have been observed since its inception?

The implementation of Zipline’s drone delivery system has revolutionised healthcare delivery in Bayelsa State. Despite initial skepticism, we forged ahead with the partnership and signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MOU) on January 29, 2022. And from last year, 2023, when they had completed all construction works; they have been tirelessly distributing medical commodities across all levels of healthcare facilities, even in the most remote areas. This has significantly improved healthcare indices, with immunisation rates soaring to over 97 per cent in January alone. Previously, our healthcare indicators were dismal, but Zipline’s intervention has propelled us from red to green- yellow, marking a remarkable turnaround in healthcare accessibility and outcomes.

Is there any testimony to share on this impact?

Certainly! A few months ago, a critical incident unfolded in Okubie, a riverine community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Around 2am, a distress call came in from the local hospital’s nurse, reporting a child in dire need of urgent treatment for severe malaria. However, the hospital lacked the necessary medical supplies to save the child’s life. In a race against time, they reached out to the Zipline facility, and remarkably, within just 25 minutes, the essential medications for severe malaria were swiftly delivered to the medical centre in Okubie.

This timely intervention proved lifesaving for the child, a stark contrast to the dire reality faced previously, where patients often succumbed to their illnesses during arduous journeys to larger healthcare facilities like Yenagoa. Such instances had contributed to the region’s high mortality rates, including maternal mortality.

The partnership with Zipline has been instrumental in turning the tide, with numerous testimonies underscoring its transformative impact on the healthcare sector and the lives of Bayelsans. Gratitude to the dedicated team at Zipline, comprising pharmacists and other medical professionals, all hailing from Bayelsa, whose commitment has been pivotal in these lifesaving endeavours.

What are some of the challenges faced in delivering healthcare services in Bayelsa State?

In Bayelsa State, our terrain presents significant challenges to healthcare delivery. With more rivers and deltas than neighbouring states like Rivers and Delta, accessing remote communities becomes exceedingly difficult. Even though roads lead to some local government headquarters, reaching certain communities remains challenging. Additionally, the threat of sea pirates adds another layer of danger for health personnel operating in rural areas. How has the partnership with Zipline positively impacted healthcare delivery in Bayelsa State?

The partnership with Zipline has been transformative for healthcare delivery in Bayelsa State. For instance, in places like Koluama community, where accessing medical care was previously arduous, Zipline’s services have made a significant difference. By directly delivering vaccines and medical supplies to remote health facilities, Zipline ensures timely immunisation for children, addressing the issue of missed opportunities due to logistical challenges. This not only improves health outcomes, but also reduces vaccine wastage and saves government funds, especially considering the high cost of vaccines on the market.

Previously, a significant number of children in Bayelsa State struggled to receive immunisation, highlighting the urgent need to reduce the count of zero- dose children. The partnership with Zipline has revolutionised this process. Now, when nursing mothers gather at health facilities, they simply tally the number of mothers and children requiring vaccines and send a text message to the Zipline facility. Within 10 minutes, the necessary supplies are packed, and within 45 minutes, at maximum, Zipline delivers them to the facility.

This streamlined approach ensures that within an hour, children receive their vaccines, allowing mothers to attend to other responsibilities such as farming. Consequently, children are immunised promptly, preventing potential disease outbreaks and safeguarding lives. Moreover, this system significantly reduces vaccine wastage, contributing to cost savings for the government. Considering the high expense of vaccines, which can range from N5,000 to N10,000 per dose, the partnership with Zipline emerges as a cost- effective solution.

What would you say were your achievements as Health Commissioner in Bayelsa State?

I must emphasise, not out of personal bias, but based on objective assessment, that the past four years have been remarkably productive for the healthcare sector in Bayelsa State. A thorough fact- check would confirm the significant strides made during this period. One aspect deserving highlight is the unprecedented focus on human capacity development, a cornerstone of healthcare improvement. Historically, our health sector suffered from severe manpower shortages, exacerbated by a lack of government employment initiatives.

However, in a groundbreaking move, over 300 individuals were employed at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, with an additional 100 personnel recruited for secondary healthcare facilities. Moreover, more than 2,000 primary healthcare workers were hired across the state, marking a monumental shift from previous practices. Furthermore, the transformation of the School of Nursing in Tombia into the College of Nursing Sciences, now a degree- awarding institution, signifies a commitment to elevating the standards of nursing education for enhanced patient care. These initiatives collectively underscore our unwavering dedication to advancing healthcare accessibility and quality in Bayelsa State.

Any final words?

I want to commend Keller Rinaudo, the CEO of Zipline, for believing in us and Bayelsa State. It is always a beautiful sight in the communities when you see the drones deliver medical commodities; you can see the reception most communities give to the technology. Certainly, this is as a result of the bold vision and foresight of Senator Douye Diri and his government to transform Bayelsa State into a centre of excellence not just in healthcare delivery for the people but also in other areas of good governance.

Igwele