Samuel Lam highlighted that drone medical delivery is referred to as the "lifeline," and its potential in emergency medical situations cannot be overlooked. Drones can fly at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour, with a battery life of approximately 35 minutes, effectively covering a delivery range of 20 kilometers. Application scenarios include the transport of blood bags and frozen organs, urgent laboratory sample deliveries, and the distribution of medications to remote areas, all of which enhance the accessibility of medical services.
Based on case studies from hospitals in mainland China, the introduction of drones has effectively addressed the high costs and unstable timeliness issues faced by traditional ground transportation. According to data from the Luohu Hospital Group, as of July 31, 2024, the cumulative number of drone flights reached 10,773, with a total flight time of 3,012 hours and a distance of 120,000 kilometers, transporting a total of 1,445,000 laboratory samples. Experimental results indicate that drone transportation has negligible impact on testing results, with an average transport time of 14.8 minutes—about a 50% reduction compared to traditional vehicle transport—and no adverse events reported, ensuring biological safety.
Although the cost of drone transportation is higher than land transport, with an average cost of 100 yuan per delivery, its value has significantly increased during the pandemic. Drones are designed with safety features, including a parachute system, ensuring that in the event of an accident, there is no damage to the ground or samples. Additionally, 5G+ technology supports intelligent navigation and real-time monitoring of the transport process, improving both efficiency and safety. In the future, to support drone operations, relevant infrastructure must be built, such as drone airports, 5G signal towers, and satellite navigation systems. Overall, the future of drone medical delivery in Hong Kong is promising; with advancements in technology and the development of infrastructure, drones are poised to play a more important role in medical emergency responses.
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