In malaria-endemic areas, timely access to medications is critical, especially for children under five. Before Zipline, many rural health centers suffered from shortages of second-line malaria treatments, forcing patients to wait hours or even days to receive them.

Healthcare staff at Gakoma Hospital in Gisagara District have already noticed significant improvements since the start of this pilot program. One staff member explained, “Previously, emergency requests took approximately two hours from the time the order was placed at the regional warehouse. Regular refill orders could take up to one or two days. Now, with Zipline, these medications arrive in as little as 27 minutes.”

Faster delivery means faster care and renewed community confidence in the health system. Jackson Kalinijabo, Gisagara District Health Director, has witnessed the impact of Zipline’s service firsthand: “Receiving anti-malarial products, such as artesunate, through Zipline has been a game-changer for health centers in Gisagara District. Faster drone deliveries directly translate into faster care, saving lives in our communities. We believe this innovative approach, along with other interventions, brings us closer to eradicating malaria in our district.”

But this shift isn’t just about speed. It’s about using Rwanda’s existing resources more efficiently. With centralized inventory and on-demand delivery, health centers no longer need to stockpile expensive second-line treatments like artesunate-pyronaridine or dihydroartemisinin, which were sometimes used indiscriminately for mild cases. These medications are now delivered only when needed, reducing waste and ensuring they are preserved for the most critical cases.

Centralizing malaria supplies for these districts with Zipline also minimizes expiration, reduces transportation costs, and relieves pressure on rural clinics. Early treatment of malaria, before it becomes severe, not only improves patient outcomes but also eases the burden on the health system by reducing the high costs associated with treating advanced cases.

Source and Credits to Zipline International

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