Drones are becoming more and more popular in various different ways including product and food delivery. However, according to Scientific American, arguably one of the most important ways drones are benefitting our lives is through healthcare. For example, drones are able to deliver life-saving tools to victims in need. For example, researchers completed a study that showed that drones were able to deliver defibrillators to victims 16 minutes faster than the speed of an ambulance. Assuming people near the victim were able to use tools like defibrillators, this drone could save countless more lives simply because of how much quicker the travel time is for drones.
Another positive of drones is being able to deliver people their medications. One example of this is the Health Wagon Clinic in Virginia that flew a drone approved by the Federal Aviation Administration to residents in Appalachia to deliver their medication. This made it so residents were able to receive their medication easily, allowed them to take it on time, and reduce the issues of traveling to a pharmacy.
One creative measure that drones could be utilized for is to shower contraceptives over areas with increased STIs and unintentional pregnancies. The United Nations organized multiple drones to airdrop contraceptives, like condoms, in many different countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia, and more. Also, drones are being used to transfer blood samples to labs at quicker rates in areas with increased HIV rates. UNICEF and various other partners are beginning to work on this technology in areas like Malawi where 1 in 10 people are affected with HIV and only has eight lab testing centers.
Another benefit of drones is through emergency care. When natural disasters or terrorist attacks hit, there are many people in critical care and bystanders who aren’t sure how to help. The William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine is working with Google Class to deliver emergency care kits via drones to those in disaster situations. Bystanders will be able to connect with someone via Google Class who will guide them in helping victims in the area. This way, victims are able to receive care quickly when healthcare professionals aren’t present.
Yet another way drones are benefitting the healthcare world is through transferring blood units to surgeons in remote countries. A California-based company called Zipline opened a facility in Muhanga which uses drones to transfer units of blood to surgeons in Rwanda where blood units aren’t abundant or readily available. With more than 350 flights completed, Zipline is utilizing drones to allow surgeons to complete healthier, more successful surgeries.
Overall, drones are completely changing the healthcare industry and will become a must larger aspect of care in the years ahead.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/6-ways-drones-could-change-health-care/