Pahang: The use of drones to transport medical samples between hospitals can help improve the efficiency of healthcare logistics, particularly by reducing delivery time. Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kasim said the initiative was carried out under a Proof of Concept (POC) project by Alphaswift Industries Sdn Bhd, involving drone deliveries between Bera Hospital and Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, tests found that drone delivery can save about 20 minutes compared with land transportation over a distance of about 20 kilometres. Various aspects were also evaluated during the POC, including delivery time, sample quality, test result accuracy, and logistics, to compare air and land delivery methods. Razali shared these findings at a press conference following the Medical Drone Delivery Project Recognition Ceremony at Bera Hospital.
Razali noted that drone technology also offered advantages during natural disasters, traffic congestion, or road disruptions, as deliveries by air can continue despite such conditions. He mentioned that the initiative, still in the testing stage, was conducted in several phases. This began with a drop test on December 11 last year, followed by flight and delivery tests on January 22, and a medical drone crash response exercise on February 11 to ensure the system's safety and effectiveness.
However, Razali indicated that the official use of drones by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for delivering medical samples required further study, including assessments of cost-effectiveness, regulatory requirements, and funding. He emphasized that further studies should consider the cost of land delivery, including the use of vehicles, drivers, and fuel, to provide a more comprehensive cost comparison.
He revealed that the next test would be conducted in Tawau, Sabah, while other locations in Pahang and other states could be considered based on logistical suitability and local conditions. Alphaswift Industries, in a statement, said the project was the first of its kind in Malaysia to transport blood samples between two hospitals, highlighting the potential of the technology to improve healthcare logistics.
The project, carried out in collaboration with the MOH, represents an important step towards exploring the use of new technology to support healthcare delivery, particularly the transportation of medical materials and samples between health facilities.