Professor Derek O’Keeffe from NUI Galway has created an innovative way to deliver diabetes medication during natural disasters.
Credit: Andrew Downes/xposure
During Storm Ophelia and Storm Emma, multiple diabetes patients were left isolated in their houses and unable to access their necessary medication from a local pharmacy or surgery. This prompted Professor Derek O’Keeffe to begin the project.
This was the first attempt at delivering diabetes medication via a drone. EU regulations had to be ensured whilst ordering and dispensing the patients’ prescription medication. Additionally, as the drone was being designed for use in natural disasters, the device has a vertical take-off and landing feature. This means that the drone will still operate in situations where there is no infrastructure.
The positive results of the delivery of diabetic medication via the drone suggest that medical supply distribution by drones could play a key role within healthcare in the future.