A groundbreaking new study has revealed that Zipline’s drone delivery system has dramatically improved maternal health outcomes in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, cutting maternal deaths by a staggering 56.4% at health facilities supported by the technology.
The study, which examined 191 health facilities between 2017 and 2022, found significant gains in key maternal health indicators attributed to Zipline’s innovative medical drone deliveries. Among the key improvements were a 19.9% increase in antenatal visits, a 25% rise in facility-based deliveries, and a marked reduction in critical medical supply shortages.
Zipline operates a fleet of autonomous drones that deliver essential medical supplies—including blood, oxytocin, anti-snake venom, and other emergency medicines—to health facilities in both rural and urban areas. This on-demand delivery system has been credited with cutting down delays in life-saving treatment, particularly for pregnant women facing complications during childbirth.
“By collaborating with partners like Zipline, we are ensuring that all Ghanaians, regardless of their location, receive timely medical assistance,” said Mrs. Susana Nkrumah of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), hailing the public-private partnership as a game-changer in strengthening the healthcare delivery system.
Before Zipline’s intervention, many health centres in the region struggled with frequent stockouts of essential supplies, often forcing staff to turn away critical cases or delay emergency care. The drone deliveries have not only improved stock levels but also helped to boost confidence in the health system and enable faster response times, the study noted.
Daniel Kwaku Merki, Head of Zipline Ghana, emphasized the growing importance of logistics innovation in healthcare delivery. “The ability to move medical supplies efficiently has never been more important. We’re proud to be playing a role in transforming maternal healthcare in Ghana,” he said.
Ghana was the first country in Africa to adopt Zipline’s drone technology at scale, and its success in the Ashanti Region is now drawing attention from other countries exploring similar solutions. With maternal mortality remaining a critical public health issue across much of sub-Saharan Africa, the findings underscore the potential of technology to bridge healthcare gaps and save lives.