Healthcare by drone: Pilot project reaches Virginia's Tangier Island

The Elevating Health Care Access project recently held a public demonstration of the Kite B drone, showcasing its capability to swiftly deliver essential medications to Tangier Island. This event introduced residents to a transformative health initiative designed to enhance access to medical supplies in isolated regions like theirs, where transportation challenges can cause significant delays.

The demonstration marked the successful completion of the first phase of this pilot programme, financed by the SMART Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Over several months, DroneUp, a leading American autonomous drone delivery firm, executed numerous test flights, demonstrating the potential to reduce delivery times to remote communities. In just 14 minutes, a Kite B drone completed the 17-mile journey from Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital (RSMH) to Riverside Tangier Medical Centre, simulating the prompt delivery of medication and supplies. On its return, the drone showcased its capacity to carry routine laboratory samples back to RSMH for analysis.

“We know that drone delivery to patients in rural areas will not only improve access to medications but also improve patient outcomes and overall health,” said Tom Walker, CEO of DroneUp. “As we move into the next phase of the programme, we’ll build out components of the DroneUp Ecosystem to drive, scale, reach, and streamline the business adoption process,” Walker added.

With the recent test flight concluding the federal approval process, the Elevating Health Care Access team is now pursuing a Stage II SMART Grant, aiming to implement this solution fully. This next phase, anticipated to begin in early 2025, seeks to create a sustainable delivery service, poised to revolutionise healthcare delivery for vulnerable communities on the Eastern Shore and Tangier Island.