More than 1.1 million people received red blood cell transfusions between 2011 and 2016. To keep up with demand, and service rural and hard to reach medical centres, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has turned to drones as a means of enabling quicker and more efficient transport of blood.
The drone programme could see 4 units of blood flown at top speeds of 180 km/h with a range of over 100 km. Currently the programme is undergoing quality and safety tests, and upon full licensing from the South African Civil Aviation Authority, it aims to expand into multiple provinces including KZN, the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape. (https://bit.ly/2TmurTA, https://bit.ly/36fIf7s, https://bit.ly/3e3Aa8U)