UPS to deliver blood and medicine via drone in Rwanda

UPS is partnering with drone company Zipline and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, a public-private health partnership, to deliver blood, vaccines and medicinal supplies in Rwanda.

Starting in June, Zipline hopes to be making up to 150 blood deliveries a day in rural Rwanda, where doctors and healthcare providers will be able to order supplies with just a text message and receive them within 30 minutes.

Staff at the West Rwanda Zipline hub will load up a box with the requested supplies and launch the drone. Packages will be dropped from the drone with a small parachute.

By the end of 2016, Zipline aims for its drones to be within delivery radius for 11 million Rwandan citizens. The company also hopes to be able to deliver the rabies vaccine as well.

(Source: RT)