GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (DPI) – Residents of Moraikobai, Mahaicony River in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) are benefitting from faster, more efficient access to medical supplies following the successful deployment of drone technology to deliver essential medicines to the community.
The initiative marks a significant advancement in healthcare delivery for hinterland and riverain areas. It has been welcomed by residents and community leaders who say it has significantly reduced delays in receiving critical medication.
During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday, Toshao Derrick John said the introduction of drone-based delivery has brought major relief to the community, especially since it is located approximately two and a half hours by boat from central Mahaicony and has long faced challenges in accessing timely medical support. He explained that transportation costs and travel time have historically contributed to delays in the delivery of medicines, particularly during emergencies and adverse weather conditions.
“The residents are more than excited because we never had this kind of service or initiative in Guyana, so it is something new, and people really welcome it,” Toshao John said. He noted that the community has observed a marked improvement in response time with critical medicines now reaching health workers much faster, allowing for quicker treatment in urgent cases.
Minister of health Dr Frank Anthony said the initiative reflects the government’s continued commitment to modernising healthcare delivery and ensuring geography does not hinder access to essential services.
In a social media statement, Dr Anthony stated that the successful drone delivery to Moraikobai demonstrates the growing role of innovation in strengthening the national health system.
“Over the weekend, we successfully flew medical supplies by drone to Moraikobai in the Mahaicony River, proving that in modern Guyana, distance is no longer a barrier to healthcare,” minister Anthony said. The broader transformation of the health sector includes health facilities upgrades and the introduction of technology-driven solutions to improve patient care nationwide.