Uncrewed aircraft systems versus motorcycles to deliver laboratory samples in west Africa: a comparative economic study

Publication date: January 2020Source: The Lancet Global Health, Volume 8, Issue 1Author(s): Walter O Ochieng, Tun Ye, Christina Scheel, Aun Lor, John Saindon, Sue Lin Yee, Martin I Meltzer, Vikas Kapil, Kevin KaremSummaryBackgroundTransportation of laboratory samples in low-income and middle-income countries is often constrained by poor road conditions, difficult geographical terrain, and insecurity. These constraints can lead to long turnaround times for laboratory diagnostic tests and hamper epidemic control or patient treatment efforts. Although uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS)—ie, drones—can mitigate some of these transportation constraints, their cost-effectiveness compared with land-based transportation systems is unclear.MethodsWe did a comparative economic study of the costs and cost-effectiveness of UAS versus motorcycles in Liberia (west Africa) for transportation of laboratory samples under simulated routine conditions and public health emergency conditions (based on the 2013–16 west African Ebola virus disease epidemic). We modelled three UAS with operational ranges of 30 km, 65 km, and 100 km (UAS30, UAS65, and UAS100) and lifespans of 1000 to 10 000 h, and compared the costs and number of samples transported with an established motorcycle transportation programme (most commonly used by the Liberian Ministry of Health and the charity Riders for Health). Data for UAS were obtained from Skyfire (a UAS consultancy), Vayu (a UAS manufacturer), and Sandia Natio...
Source: The Lancet Global Health - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research