The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has received a detailed technical report evaluating the performance, cost, and long-term viability of Zipline’s medical drone delivery system in Ghana, amid heightened public scrutiny and the recent closure of three of the company’s distribution centres.
According to the Ministry, the report, produced by the Zipline Technical Task Force at the request of the Minister, aims to provide a clear and evidence-based picture of how the drone delivery model has functioned since its introduction and what it now means for the country’s health supply chain.
Opening the meeting, the Minister emphasised that the session was intended to help all stakeholders develop “a common understanding” of key issues surrounding Zipline’s operations including costs, contractual terms, and the realities of implementing the service nationwide.
He noted that although the service had initially been introduced with the expectation that it would be funded through Corporate Ghana, the finalised agreement placed full financial responsibility on the government.
As a result, the state is required to pay US$88,000 per distribution centre each month for 24-hour operational services. This cost structure has since become a major subject of public discussion, especially following the shutdown of three centres due to sustainability concerns.
In its presentation, the Task Force provided an extensive review of several critical areas:
- Operational effectiveness, assessing how efficiently and reliably the drones have delivered medical supplies, particularly in hard-to-reach areas.
- Value for money, including economic analysis, cost-benefit considerations, and whether the service offers adequate returns relative to public expenditure.
- Procurement integrity and contract sustainability, examining compliance with procurement standards and evaluating whether the contractual model is financially and operationally viable in the long term.
- Alternative global logistics models, comparing Ghana’s drone-based system with other countries’ approaches to medical supply distribution.
- Policy options for future delivery trends, exploring hybrid or alternative solutions that may offer improved efficiency or reduced cost.
The Task Force also reviewed health indicators before and during Zipline’s operations, aiming to determine whether the drone service contributed to measurable improvements in health outcomes. Additionally, the review assessed the overall sustainability of the model in the context of Ghana’s changing healthcare logistics landscape.
Minister Akandoh assured the public and stakeholders that the Ministry would thoroughly study the report’s findings and recommendations. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to continued dialogue with Zipline and all relevant partners as it considers the best path forward.
“Our focus is on building a health supply chain that is efficient, sustainable, and provides value for money,” the Minister noted, adding that decisions taken will seek to enhance reliability while ensuring prudent use of public resources.
The report is expected to play an influential role in shaping future health-sector policy, particularly in determining whether drone deliveries will remain a central component of Ghana’s medical supply system.
As the Ministry engages further with stakeholders, the outcome could signal either a restructured partnership with Zipline or a broader shift towards alternative logistical models.
The Ministry has assured the public that all actions will be guided by evidence, transparency, and the overarching goal of improving healthcare access across the country.
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