National blood service unveils blood-delivery drone in Sandton
SANDTON – The drone will be used to transport blood to remote areas much faster and more efficiently.
The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and Western Cape Blood Service came together at the North Eastern Radio Flyers in Sandton to showcase how they intend to save more lives using drone technology.
The Tron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle is a highly specialised aircraft that will be used to transport blood from blood banks to hospitals in remote areas. The drone, like a helicopter, is capable of taking off and landing vertically. Once in flight, it switches into a highly efficient aircraft. In an emergency, blood can be delivered to hospitals much faster and more efficiently than ever before.
According to the blood service, the Tron aerial vehicle will be a South African first, complementing the existing logistics infrastructure. It will continue to cement the non-profit organisation’s place as a thought leader and a cornerstone of the healthcare system in South Africa through the gift of life.
Dr Jonathan Louw, CEO of the national service, said, “We believe that this is an innovative step in the history of blood transfusion. SANBS is determined to improve rapid access to life-saving blood products in rural areas through the use of drone technology.
“Our concept is globally unique in that we will provide two-way logistics. Patients can receive emergency O negative blood from one of our blood banks via the drone. The same drone can then take that patient’s blood sample to the blood bank for comprehensive crossmatching and then safely and rapidly deliver compatible blood back to the patient.”
The Western Cape Blood Service added that the initiative will be instrumental in saving lives. Dr Greg Bellairs, CEO and medical director of the Western Cape Blood Service, said, “We celebrate a milestone. Our main aim as a blood service in the Western Cape is to save people’s lives by providing sufficient, safe blood. Drones will assist us to provide blood timeously to where it is needed.”
The drone can carry a maximum take-off weight of 13.5kg and can fly at speeds of up to 160km/h. The Tron’s cargo compartment is able to securely accommodate even the most fragile payload, up to 2kg and cool it actively. The Tron will fly at an altitude of 100m to hospitals as far away as 100km, delivering up to four units of life-saving blood.
Details: South African National Blood Service 011 761 9000.
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