Drones take to the Vanuatu sky to test ‘last mile’ vaccine delivery to children

5 December 2018, Port Vila: In Vanuatu today, the Minister of Health, Norris Jack Kalmet, officially opened the drone trials for vaccine delivery to children living on remote islands. The event was held at the old Takara Airstrip, about an hour from the capital, Port Vila, with more than 100 community members, health workers and children present to witness the drones take to the sky for the first time.

“Vanuatu’s development plan, while setting out a vision for a stable, sustainable and prosperous country, demands innovative ways to reach children living in communities on remote islands,” said Prime Minister Charlot Salwai Tabimasmas. “It is a proud day for Vanuatu to launch these drone trials using commercial contracts, which will aim to bring life-saving vaccines to our children,” he added.

In a world first, the Government of Vanuatu awarded three commercial contracts to two drone companies, Swoop Aero Pty Ltd of Melbourne, Australia, and Wingcopter Holding GmbH & Co. KG of Darmstadt, Germany, to help achieve the “last mile” vaccine delivery to the 20 per cent of children living on remote islands who currently do not have reliable access to vaccines.

“In remote settings like this, safely getting vaccines and other essential medical supplies to children presents a unique set of challenges,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Pacific Representative. “We are proud to support the Government of Vanuatu in exploring new ways to get vaccines safely where they need to go, when they need to go.”

Vanuatu is an island country in the Pacific, an archipelago of 83 islands that covers 1,600 kilometres. Only about one-third of the inhabited islands have airfields and established roads, which creates considerable logistical challenges to reach, engage with and support remote communities.

The initial drone trials will take place from 5 to 7 December. Packages, similar to actual vaccines, will be transported from the old Takara airstrip on North Efate island, fly over Emao, Pele and Nguna islands, and reach the destination, Siviri football field –a distance of about 50km.

“Through the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the innovationXchange is pleased to partner with the Vanuatu Government and UNICEF in trialling innovative technologies to solve significant health challenges in Vanuatu,” said Dr Sarah Pearson, DFAT’s Chief Innovation Officer. “We look forward to learning from this trial and understanding how the use of drones could help prevent disease in a cost effective manner particularly in a challenging environment such as Vanuatu,” Dr Pearson added.

Following the trials, the Ministry of Health and Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu will consider the approval of the use of drones for the delivery of vaccines to health facilities on Epi and the Shepherds Islands, Erromango and Pentecost, as soon as January 2019. In addition, the Vanuatu Government will have a better understanding of the potential for drones to be used across all sectors in the country.

Throughout the drone trials, healthcare professionals, government representatives, teachers and children will participate, sharing knowledge and expertise, as well as ensuring cultural acceptability of this new technology.

The project is led by Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health and the Civil Aviation Authority of Vanuatu, with support from UNICEF, the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) innovationXchange, and The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

About UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do.  Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/.  Follow UNICEF Pacific on Twitter and Facebook

About the Vanuatu Ministry of Health

The Vanuatu Ministry of Health is guided by the Vanuatu Health Sector Strategy. The mission of the Ministry of Health is to protect and promote the health of all people in Vanuatu. The values it seeks to uphold are consumer focus, equity, quality, integrity and efficiency. Its vision is for an integrated and decentralised health system that promotes efficient and effective and equitable health services for the good health and general wellbeing of all people in Vanuatu.

About the Vanuatu Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities

The Vanuatu Ministry of Infrastructure & Public Utilities has a vision for a safe and integrated transport infrastructure network. Its mission includes maintenance and upgrade of transport infrastructure network equitably in rural and urban areas through inclusive and effective partnerships; implement safety and security systems requirements in compliance with Vanuatu laws and international conventions; provide leadership and develop appropriate legislative framework and governance system that is conducive to infrastructure development; and utilize resources and assets efficiently while adhering to principles of accountability and transparency.

About the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), innovationXchange

The innovationXchange’s vision is for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to be known as an exemplar in foreign affairs, trade and development impact and influence through embedded innovation practices. The innovationXchange works within DFAT to catalyse and support innovation across the Australian aid program. The innovationXchange shares learnings and brokers new connections so that innovation becomes intrinsic to the delivery of the whole aid program. All of Australia’s innovationXchange learning, experimenting and partnerships give effect to the 2030 Agenda, including the Sustainable Development Goals.