Yongjia Launches "Low-Altitude + Medical" Drone Service for Faster Blood Sample Delivery

In a village, residents can now have their blood drawn and receive lab results without traveling far— all thanks to the recent launch of a"low-altitude + medical" drone service in Yongjia County. This innovative approach uses drones to swiftly transport blood samples, significantly improving healthcare accessibility in remote areas.

First Flight Ceremony Marks New Era in Healthcare Logistics

At the Yongjia Second People's Hospital (Yantou Central Health Center), a newly constructed dual-drone logistics hub station measuring 4 meters wide by 7 meters long was unveiled during a simple inauguration ceremony. Shortly after, a drone took off towards Yantou Central Health Center Lixi Branch, covering a straight-line distance of approximately 9 kilometers. To ensure optimal signal reception and avoid obstacles like power lines and residential buildings, the actual flight path extended to about 10 kilometers. The drone, capable of carrying up to 9 kilograms, completed the trip in just 12 minutes. Upon arrival, healthcare workers loaded the samples into the drone's temperature-controlled cargo compartment, and it promptly returned, landing smoothly at its designated spot.

"The information systems of our central health center and Lixi branch are synchronized," explained the deputy director of Yongjia Second People's Hospital."Once the test results are available, they will be immediately visible at both locations." Previously, sample testing in mountainous regions often relied on outsourcing or daily batch deliveries, with urgent samples requiring special handling or patients making the trip themselves, which was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Drone transportation not only cuts delivery times in half but also ensures sample quality while reducing personnel costs.

Expanding Network and Future Applications

Currently, besides the operational Lixi route, drone landing stations at other branches such as Wuchi and Biaoshan are under construction and expected to be operational by the end of this month. Yongjia County's initial phase of the"low-altitude + medical" initiative includes two primary applications: blood transportation and sample delivery, supported by 21 drone hubs. Looking ahead, the plans to expand these services to include medication and medical equipment deliveries, further integrating low-altitude economy with healthcare services.

With vast mountainous terrain and scattered villages, Yongjia has long faced challenges in delivering essential medical supplies and conducting timely sample tests. This pioneering drone network aims to solve the“last mile” problem, enhancing overall healthcare efficiency and accessibility in rural areas.（Jin Chaodan）