Ranking Member on Parliament’s Health Committee, Dr. Ayew Afriyie, has expressed serious concern over the closure of three Zipline drone delivery centres, warning that the move could lead to increased deaths due to disruptions in blood supply and emergency medical deliveries.
Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem, Dr. Afriyie criticised the government for failing to engage the company despite its critical role in the health delivery system.
“This is a disruptive mindset from government. The impact is high, and people are already feeling the effects. The ministry is avoiding engagement with Zipline, and this is not acceptable. The public and the press need to focus on the real impact this has on rural communities” he said.
Dr. Afriyie questioned the rationale behind the decision, suggesting that the government’s visibility work was inadequate.
“What visibility work has the government done to conclude that Zipline cannot operate? When will we progress? Democracy is becoming a cost to us,” he said.
He also challenged claims that the construction of Agenda 111 hospitals justifies the shutdown of the drone centres.
“Saying they are building 111 hospitals is not a good reason. What about urgent emergencies? What power do they have if they keep swinging left and right?”
Highlighting the practical implications of the closure, Dr. Afriyie detailed the areas served by the affected centres:
- Centre 4 covers the Western North Region and parts of the Western, Central, Bono, Ashanti, and Ahafo Regions.
- Centre 5, located in Anum, supplies blood-related products, vaccines, and emergency medical items to the Volta Region, parts of the Eastern Region, and the Afram Plains enclave.
- Centre 6 serves the Oti Region and parts of the Savannah Region.
“With these centres shut down, patients who depend on timely blood and emergency supplies are at great risk. In the next few days, we are likely to see many preventable deaths related to lack of blood supply” he warned.
Dr. Afriyie also expressed empathy for Zipline staff, who have been left frustrated and uninformed.
“I feel for the workers. They have been left in the dark. This is more than a political decision—it will cost lives. Emergency healthcare must not be politicised,” he stressed.
He urged the government to take immediate action, invest in ambulances, and ensure continuity of essential medical services for rural and vulnerable communities.
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