https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/14/drone-blood-deliveries-rwanda/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnDpE8uSb7M




In Rwanda, transporting critical medicine and blood can be difficult if the patient is in a remote location. Heavy downpours can wash out the roads, and local hospitals are often too small to stock everything their doctors might need. Now, the Rwandan government is side-stepping the problem with a drone delivery program. In the western half of the country, 21 transfusion clinics can request batches of blood via text. The order will be picked up by Zipline, a California-based robotics firm, at its "nest" base in Muhanga. A small drone will then be deployed and, upon arrival, swoop down low to drop the package off at a designated "mailbox" area.

The new "Zip" drones can carry up to 1.5KG of blood -- enough to save a person's life -- over 150KM. Zipline is starting with 15 drones which will make 50 to 150 emergency flights each day. Each delivery should take 30 minutes, bypassing any problems or poor infrastructure down below. In the future, the government hopes to expand the scheme and offer different types of medicine and lifesaving vaccines. The first step, in early 2017, will be to offer similar blood deliveries in the eastern half of the country too.

http://flyzipline.com/product/

How it Works

A health worker can place an order by text message. Within minutes, a Zip is prepared and launched into the sky. Racing along at 100 km/h, Zip arrives faster than any other mode of transport, no pilot required. The medical products are then dropped off, landing gently and accurately at the health facility in an open area the size of a few parking spaces.

One delivery, one life saved. It's that simple.