{"id":105100,"date":"2025-12-02T15:01:38","date_gmt":"2025-12-02T15:01:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=105100"},"modified":"2025-12-02T15:01:38","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T15:01:38","slug":"prof-beyuo-urges-govt-to-axe-zipline-funds-to-equip-blood-banks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=105100","title":{"rendered":"Prof Beyuo urges gov\u2019t to axe Zipline funds to equip blood banks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The funding model for Ghana\u2019s Zipline drone delivery service is facing intense scrutiny, with a prominent Member of Parliament (MP) arguing that the substantial investment should be immediately redirected to shore up the country\u2019s struggling local blood bank infrastructure.<\/p>\n

Professor Titus Beyuo, MP for Lambussie, launched the critique on Channel One on Tuesday, December 2, insisting that the drone service has strayed too far from its original mandate of emergency medical supply, thereby rendering its high cost unjustifiable.<\/p>\n

Prioritizing Local Blood Supply<\/strong><\/p>\n

The MP, leveraging his insights into public health logistics, argued that the funds currently allocated to Zipline could be strategically used by the National Blood Service (NBS) to establish and equip storage facilities across all 261 districts. <\/p>\n

This investment, he maintains, would ensure that life-saving blood is stored locally and accessible instantly, cutting down on transit time and costs.<\/p>\n

Prof. Beyuo did not mince words regarding what he views as a misallocation of resources:<\/p>\n

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\u201cThis money, if given to the National Blood Service, could set up blood bank services across all districts. Blood could be stored locally and used where it is needed, rather than spending on drones to fly non-emergency items like condoms,\u201d Prof. Beyuo said.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He insisted that a shift toward strengthening local blood bank infrastructure would not only ensure more timely access to blood\u2014a vital component in reducing maternal and accident-related mortality\u2014but would also guarantee more efficient use of public funds.<\/p>\n

Mandate Drift: The Non-Emergency Cargo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prof. Beyuo criticised Zipline for moving beyond its core purpose of emergency deliveries for critical items like blood and anti-venom. <\/p>\n

He noted that the routine distribution of non-critical items should be handled through Ghana\u2019s existing public health supply chain logistics, which is already budgeted for.<\/p>\n

The MP\u2019s claims were substantiated by the Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, who recently confirmed that Zipline is indeed transporting a broad spectrum of non-emergency products. <\/p>\n

The items listed by the minister included:<\/p>\n