Zipline, the innovative drone delivery service, has released its 2024 Impact Report, marking five years of transformative operations in Ghana.

The launch event, held in Kumasi in the Ashanti Region of Ghana featured prominent guest speakers such as Dr Emmanuel Tinkorang, Regional Director of Health for Ashanti Region, and Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare, Presidential Advisor on Health, alongside key stakeholders in the Ghanaian health sector.

Over the past five years, Zipline has significantly bridged healthcare access disparities across Ghana.

The report, bolstered by independent studies, reveals that remote districts received 30% more COVID-19 vaccines via Zipline than less remote areas did through other sources.

Furthermore, Zipline’s innovative approach has led to a 67% reduction in wasted blood products and a 60% decrease in vaccine stockouts.

These efforts have translated into a 44% reduction in missed vaccination opportunities and a 13-37 percentage point increase in routine immunization rates.

In the Ashanti Region alone, maternal mortality has decreased by 54% due to these advancements.

Yvonne Agla, Operations Manager of Zipline Ghana in an address said; “The Impact Report is a testament to the sustainable impacts of Zipline’s partnership with the government of Ghana in the past five years.

“Our mission is aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to essential healthcare. The remarkable achievements outlined in this report demonstrate the transformative power of technology in bridging healthcare access disparities.

“As we celebrate our five-year milestone, we are incredibly proud of our impact in Ghana and are committed to continuing this vital work to improve health outcomes for communities nationwide.”

The impact report showcases several key achievements:

• More frequent stockouts of vaccines among control facilities compared to Zipline-served facilities
• 30% lower mean duration of stockouts in Zipline-served facilities versus control groups
• 44% reduction in missed vaccination opportunities in the Zipline group
• 13.1 to 37.5 percentage point increase in vaccine coverage at Zipline-served facilities
• 15,000 additional vaccinations and over 720 deaths avoided
• 91.1% of providers at Zipline-served facilities reported significant improvement in vaccine access

Collaborating closely with the Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service, Zipline has completed over 550,000 drone deliveries in Ghana, supplying vaccines, blood products, essential medicines, and diagnostic specimens to over 2,500 health facilities.

Zipline’s extensive operations span nearly all 16 regions of Ghana, delivering an average of 600 health commodities from its six distribution hubs per day, ensuring prompt and reliable supply to diverse communities.

Beyond its operational success, Zipline has been strongly committed to transparency and regulatory compliance. The company employs advanced equipment for managing and storing commodities, ensuring the highest quality standards are maintained during delivery.

Speaking at the event, Dr Anthony Nsiah-Asare remarked on the broader importance of optimizing Zipline’s drones in the country.

“The collaboration between Zipline and the government of Ghana serves as a clear and compelling illustration of how technology has been seamlessly integrated into Ghana’s healthcare and supply chain to enhance access and responsiveness. The more we optimize the usage of the Zipline partnership, the more cost savings it generates for us as a country,” he said.

The 2024 Impact Report underscores the transformative potential of drone technology in healthcare logistics, making essential medical supplies more accessible to remote and under-served communities.

Zipline aims to expand globally, the success of its drone operations in Ghana with continued regional collaborations, for improved health and well-being for millions worldwide.