The Department of Health in Abu Dhabi has announced a new advanced drone service that will distribute and transfer medical supplies within the healthcare sector.
The first of its kind project will create a delivery system through drones set at 40 stations by 2022.
The system will be available round the clock and will provide an emergency response network at healthcare facilities in Abu Dhabi.
The project is in collaboration with the Department of Health, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), SkyGo and Matternet.
The drones will deliver medical supplies, medicines, blood units, vaccinations and samples from laboratories, pharmacies and blood banks across healthcare facilities.
The drones are also environmentally friendly as they reduce CO2 emissions and reduce road traffic congestion.
Phase one of testing has been completed with SkyGo and Matternet now working on phase two, which will be completed by the end of the year.
His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Hamed, Chairman of Department of Health in Abu Dhabi said, "Under the wise leadership and its directives, we look forward to working with our partners to make Abu Dhabi the first city in the Middle East and North Africa, to adopt and use of this technology. We will continue to deploy advanced technologies that will improve the healthcare sector for the benefit of citizens and residents. Looking ahead, we will continue working towards establishing the emirate as a global healthcare hub while at the same time developing a healthcare system that is fit for the future."