24 Nov 2025

President Advocate Duma Boko has hailed the launch of ‘Drones for Health’ as an innovative breakthrough reaffirming government’s commitment to equitable access to life-saving and provision of essential medicines even in remote areas.

President Boko, who witnessed the virtual take-off of the drone from Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital in Maun and the landing at Chanoga clinic, which took approximately 15 minutes in a radius of 40km, appreciated that the technology was key in transforming healthcare delivery by enhancing accessibility, efficiency and quality care.

The ‘Drones for Health’ project is aimed at transporting medical supplies, blood samples, vaccines and enhance public health initiatives.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the ministries of Health as well as Communication and Innovation and its primary goal is to ensure timely delivery of essential medicines.

President Boko said in the next 2-3 years, the project should be rolled out to all hard to reach areas while training of local pilots, who were taking part in the project was ongoing.

“This project is a bold commitment of the government toward inclusive and resilient healthcare system that leaves no one behind. We believe that all members of the communities including those in remote areas or far from services should have access to timely and quality health care services,” he said.

He also acknowledged that the drone technology had Internet connectivity, which people could use to improve communication.

Giving an overview of the project, drone coordinator at the Ministry of Health, Mr Sinka Matengu said it was piloted in Palapye in 2021, starting with Mogapi, Lecheng, Moremi and Mokgware respectively.

He said the technology was later expanded to cover more villages in the Ngamiland region targeting areas such as Gudigwa and Shakawe, among others.

Mr Matengu said  ‘Drone for Health’ project would come handy as it would cut costs and ensure easy and quick delivery of essential medicines in hard to reach communities. He highlighted that the drone had a capacity to carry 30 kilograms of goods and could cover a stretch of 200km.

“This is the best technology that will limit transport resources especially when roads are impassable. It will accelerate delivery of health supplies in a timely manner and eventually save lives. We will be able to deliver essential care drugs and laboratory specimen without struggle,” he said.

Minister of Communication and Innovation, Mr David Tshere, said as the country was facing financial challenges, the project would address transport challenges and save government money.

He said they were already working with some four Batswana companies with the help of an expert company from California, adding that they would contract them further to fly the drones as their main aim was to roll the project to the rest of the country.

For his part, Minister of Health, Dr Stephen Modise thanked all who ensured the success of the project saying the aim was to ensure all Batswana had access to free quality healthcare services irrespective of their locations. ENDS