PILILLA, Rizal (PIA) — Residents of Calabarzon living in remote communities can expect more efficient access to medicines as the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Region 4A, in partnership with mWell and the Philippine Flying Labs, launched the country’s first medicine drone delivery service.
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy and Department of Health Assistant Secretary Ariel Valencia, along with other national and local government officials, led the project’s launch on January 31 in Barangay Niugan, Pililla, Rizal.
Uy said that the Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia to use drone technology for delivering medicines to remote communities.
“This is the first in Southeast Asia to implement drone delivery specifically for medicine distribution in remote areas. We decided to pilot it in a fifth-class municipality and barangay to assess its impact on the community and understand the various factors that need to be considered,” Uy told the Philippine Information Agency Calabarzon.
Uy added that the initiative has positioned the Philippines alongside other countries that harness technology for development.
“Hindi po tayo natatakot na manguna. Tayo po ang magiging ehemplo sa buong mundo kung paano gamitin ang teknolohiya sa ikauunlad ng ating bayan at para sa ikaaasenso ng ating mamamayan. The Philippines today stands as a role model,” the DICT Secretary emphasized.
According to DICT, the pioneering initiative is part of the SMART Villages and SMART Islands program, which demonstrates the transformative potential of digital solutions in enhancing community health and well-being.
The DICT has partnered with mWell, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, which offers an integrated tech-based healthcare platform in the Philippines.
This medicine drone delivery integrates the mWell Telemedicine platform, enabling residents to consult with medical professionals remotely and receive their medications promptly using the drone technology.
According to mWell, the lack of access to medicines in remote health centers inspired them to establish the medicine drone delivery service in collaboration with the Philippine Flying Labs and DICT.
“We have received feedback that after consultations, doctors prescribe medicines that are sometimes unavailable in health centers. Since these patients are in remote areas, we thought about how to get the medicines to them. That’s why we partnered with the Philippine Flying Labs, which offers drone delivery services,” said Tisha Quinitio, mWell’s Business Development Head.
“Our goal is to send medicines using drones. After an mWell teleconsultation, with just a click on their tablet, medicines can be delivered directly to remote areas via drone,” she added.
Quinitio also mentioned that they are targeting remote locations covered by DICT’s Broadband ng Masa (BBM) program for the medicine drone delivery project.
Residents and barangay officials thanked the DICT, stating that the project would benefit senior citizens and persons with disabilities by reducing the need for them to travel long distances just to access medications.
The DICT will conduct further studies on how to operationalize the medicine drone delivery system and expand its implementation nationwide.
With this innovation, the DICT and DOH are confident in addressing challenges in the healthcare sector, paving the way for more accessible and high-quality medical services for all. (FSC, PIA4A)