On May 16, 2023, a stakeholder engagement was held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel by the ARDA International Cooperation in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Medical Research Council, and The Gambia Red Cross Society to discuss the potential introduction of medical drone delivery services in the nation.
In order to assess the applicability of this service in The Gambia with less cost-effectiveness and sustainability, other stakeholders were also involved in the conversation, including the Ministry of Interior, Defense, the Gambia Armed Forces, and State Intelligence Service (SIS).
The drones will ensure that medical supplies get to the closest hospitals on time. After a five-week trial, this service will be offered to determine whether the system can function or be maintained successfully in The Gambia.
It aims to give The Gambia access to the benefits of drones for medical delivery as the most approachable, scalable, and secure drone logistics system. The discussion addresses the goal and purpose of the program, which aims to improve the public health supply chain in The Gambia and will have a significant impact.
The Gambia Red Cross Society’s secretary general, Alasan Senghore, praised ARDA for the effort and said it “puts The Gambia at the forefront of technology.”
“We are often left behind because we think that it is very complicated and not possible; but with collaboration, it is possible with bringing comparative advantages of institutions together.”
The Gambia received a medical drone for the first time in 2021, according to Shubh Malde, founder and CEO of ARDA. He continued by saying that they planned to develop a program that would fully utilize medical drones in public health.
“Drones are new technology and we intend to train Gambians to operate the drone and want them to be accessible,” he said.
According to Sulayman Mboge of Radville Farm, Shubh and Jan were motivated to introduce the drones to The Gambia by their passion for the country and their desire to provide medical services there.
He commended the Interior and Health Ministries for the chance and collaboration.