24 Nov 2022

Okavango District Health Management Team (DHMT) will soon start using drones to deliver health commodities. 

 This was revealed by Okavango DHMT Coordinator, Dr Bokwena Moali when briefing the sub district council meeting on Wednesday.

Dr Moali said that the implementation follows a pilot exercise conducted in Palapye last year. She said Okavango DHMT was selected to kick start the implementation due to its vastness and bad terrain.

She said the drones would help in delivery of health commodities in far to reach areas such as Xaixai, Qangwa, Nxauxau, Seronga, Beetsha and Gudigwa. “They would help in timely delivery of specimen to the testing the laboratory after collection without quality being compromised and help in challenges of limited resources, especially fleet,” Dr Moali said.

She said the implementation would further help in employment creation. When responding to some questions from councillors, Dr Moali said that Botswana was yet to determine the type of drone to use as well as a company to engage in the exercise.

She said the plan was to roll out the medical drones nationally at a later stage. 

Councillor for Gumare Tubu South, Mr Keobinetse Matenanga said the use of drones was a welcome development as it would help improve service delivery in the Okavango.

Another councillor, Mr Botshelo Mapa for Etsha 6, welcomed the idea to implement use of drones in delivery of health commodities in their district. ENDS