By Chinenye Anuforo
Zipline, the global leader in instant logistics delivery has disclosed that it is currently delivering medicines and vaccines to over 1000 health facilities in Nigeria, with plans to expand to more areas.
The Service which began operations in Kaduna, Nigeria in 2022, following a partnership with the Kaduna State Government, has within a space of a year expanded to 3 other federal states, thereby increasing the number of serviced facilities in Africa’s biggest economy.
In an interview with journalists, Catherine Odiase, General Manager, Zipline Nigeria, said the company currently has three hubs in Nigeria; Kaduna, Cross River and Bayelsa which is serving over 1000 health facilities in the three locations. She added that, “Coverage in Kaduna at the moment is over 500 health facilities and in Cross River State and Bayelsa the service is currently serving over 350 and 200 health facilities respectively.”
Odiase further explained that the services of Zipline have reduced delivery time and maximized efficiency in healthcare delivery with precision. This, she indicates, has improved health outcomes and armed health facilities to use data to understand health supply management.
“The interesting thing about our operations is the efficiency and the speed at which we deliver these commodities to the different health facilities. A journey that could traditionally take seven hours by road takes Zipline just about 45 minutes using the drones. Our delivery system is seamless, on demand and positively impacting the overall health delivery of the facilities we serve”, she added.
Augustine Okputu, the Ward Focal Person at the Primary Health Care Center in Ijiragha Ward, Yala Local Government Area, Cross River State, commended Zipline’s efficiency and commitment to ensuring enhanced user-friendliness of drug requisition and supply services at the health centre. People have increased confidence in the centre because they are confident that the medical supplies come from a reputable and trusted source.
“We have seen an encouraging number of people coming to patronize our facilities. Zipline has greatly helped in terms of increased patient visits. They deliver almost every medicine we request. By this, children, and adults alike trust that they will no longer be referred to other facilities due to the non-availability of medicines which we can readily order from Zipline when we run out of our regular supplies”.
“We wish to thank the state government immensely for partnering with Zipline for such a transformative technology. Instead of travelling long distances during emergencies or times when we run out of stock, we can now sit comfortably in our offices, place orders and receive them right at our facility. Our patients also seem very satisfied with the level of improvement in our support to them” he said.
Community dwellers express newfound confidence in receiving prompt treatment whenever they visit a healthcare facility. This renewed assurance stems from Zipline’s unwavering readiness to swiftly deliver medications immediately after orders are placed. Regardless of their location, Zipline is dedicated to making sure that essential supplies are delivered as soon as possible to individuals in need.