How drones could transform healthcare in remote areas

What in the World

• Episode: How drones could transform healthcare in remote areas
• Website: What in the World
• Feed URL: https://podcasts.files.bbci.co.uk/w13xtvrv.rss
• Duration: 00:10:42
• Published: 2025-01-21 15:30

People who live in remote areas of the world often lack access to basic healthcare. Their difficulties are magnified during disasters. But around the world doctors are turning to drones to helping deliver medicine, vaccines, and other much-needed supplies. Paediatrician Heidi Sampang has run medical clinics in remote areas of several countries, including China, Costa Rica, Haiti, Mozambique and the Philippines. She tells us about her work at FlyingLabs Philippines, which has used drones to deliver medical supplies to people who live in difficult-to-reach communities in mountains and on distant islands. She also discusses the impact isolation

Data signals help drones reach their final destination. But connectivity can be a major problem in remote areas and disaster zones. Patrick McKay — the data operations manager for the United Nations World Food Programme — explains some of the workarounds.

Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producer: Josh Jenkins and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde