Many African countries are leveraging drone technology not only in healthcare but in other areas such as defense, agriculture, and disaster relief.
By Michael Akuchie
Like many African countries, Nigeria’s healthcare system remains substandard, endangering the lives of its citizens daily. From resident doctors leaving the country in search of better working conditions to hospitals that are ill-equipped, access to quality healthcare is severely limited. Two years ago, the Nigerian Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHDA) reported that six out of every ten Nigerians do not have access to primary healthcare.
According to Better Health Channel, primary health care is the first level of medical care a patient encounters. It includes the diagnosis and treatment of both short-term and long-term conditions. Unfortunately, many of Nigeria’s primary healthcare centres cannot meet even the basic needs of patients due to a lack of equipment, dwindling manpower, and insufficient budgetary allocation.
Imagine living in a village where the nearest hospital is several kilometres away, and the road has been rendered impassable due to erosion. To receive primary healthcare, you would have to walk that distance, even when seriously ill. While younger individuals might manage the arduous trek, the same cannot be said for people living with disabilities or the elderly. Instead of risking such a long and difficult journey, what if medical care could come directly to the patient?
In 2016, Rwanda partnered with Zipline, a California-based robotics company, to use drones for delivering medical supplies, especially blood, to local clinics. Instead of contending with the challenging task of transporting supplies via road, these drones can reach speeds of up to 70 kilometres per hour and complete up to 150 deliveries daily.
Many African countries are harnessing drone technology not just for healthcare, but also in sectors such as defence, agriculture, and disaster relief. Drones are not a new concept on the continent; South Africa, for instance, developed Africa’s first drones in the 1980s. While initially used for defence purposes, the potential of drones has since expanded. Today, companies in South Africa and beyond are exploring their applications in agriculture, logistics, and various other industries.
Built In defines a drone as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can be either operated by remote control or programmed to function autonomously. A defining characteristic of drones is the absence of a pilot on board. They come in various sizes, from small models used for recreational purposes to larger ones designed for commercial and industrial applications.
Aside from medical care delivery to rural communities, drone technology can also be used during disaster relief operations. Africa is not immune to natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, wildfires, and droughts. In 2017, South Africa’s Western Cape province suffered a serious case of wildfires that ravaged buildings and businesses. To aid their search and rescue operations, South African firefighters relied on drone technology, using their thermal imaging technology to locate the heat signatures of people or animals even when visibility was poor.
The drones were equipped with thermal imaging cameras that transmitted live footage to a command centre operated by human controllers. This technology allowed firefighters to work more effectively on the ground by pinpointing the locations of people in need and identifying areas at high risk of flare-ups.
Drone technology is also leading precision agriculture efforts in Africa. For clarity, precision agriculture refers to the use of information technology (IT) to provide crops and soil with the right amount of nutrients to guarantee a positive yield. Despite the increased interest in oil exploration and production activities across the continent, agriculture remains a vital sector that can ensure food security, employment, and economic development.
The African Development Bank reports that there are 33 million smallholder farms across the continent, representing 60% of low-income communities. To enable farmers to make informed decisions about which crops to plant, understanding the characteristics of their soil is crucial. This is where soil mapping comes into play. Just as drones were used by South African firefighters to identify hot zones, they can also be employed to study soil and provide valuable insights to farmers.
Originally, soil mapping was the domain of human soil surveyors. However, the high costs and the time-consuming nature of this task have been challenging for farmers, especially those with small-scale operations.
Unlike soil surveyors, who require considerable time, drones can swiftly collect soil data and relay the information to farmers efficiently. They provide detailed reports that help farmers make informed decisions about their crops. Furthermore, drones are also capable of monitoring pests and diseases.
Pests can significantly impact a farm’s yield, which is why farmers are encouraged to adopt modern methods for pest control. With drones, farmers can assess the extent of an infestation and employ the most effective strategies to address it.
Although drone technology signifies a positive shift for Africa, it is not without its concerns. Due to their reliance on electronic systems for data collection and transmission, drones are vulnerable to cyberattacks. For example, a hacker could potentially seize control of a drone to locate a target and gather sensitive information. Additionally, the cost of acquiring and maintaining drones remains a significant barrier to their widespread adoption in Africa.
These technologies require substantial investment for both acquisition and maintenance, presenting a significant financial burden for interested governments. In Nigeria, where the health ministry is constrained by low budgetary allocation, the prospect of using its limited resources to purchase drones seems almost unfeasible.
As demonstrated in Rwanda and South Africa, drone technology have the potential to bring significant positive change to the continent. The success of drone-based medical supply deliveries is a trend many Africans would like to see replicated in their own countries.
The same applies to disaster relief efforts, where drones can enhance rescue operations by improving the chances of locating victims and guiding them to safety. In agriculture, drone technology can boost food security and drive economic growth. Despite the significant costs involved, countries should allocate adequate budgets for drones, as the benefits substantially outweigh the risks.
Michael Akuchie is a tech journalist with four years of experience covering cybersecurity, AI, automotive trends, and startups. He reads human-angle stories in his spare time. He’s on X (fka Twitter) as @Michael_Akuchie & michael_akuchie on Instagram.
Cover photo credit: Equinox’s Drones