Investigating drone technology in health-care products delivery in rural communities in Ghana: benefits, barriers and perceptions

Purpose Access to health care in rural communities is a challenge in many developing countries. One major factor contributing to this challenge is the unavailability of health-care products in these areas during emergencies. Most governments seek to leverage the use of technology to improve health-care delivery. This research, therefore, aims to bridge this gap by identifying the benefits, barriers and perceptions associated with Zipline’s operations in rural communities. Design/methodology/approach This research adopts a quantitative approach through closed-ended questionnaires to evaluate the benefits, barriers and perceptions associated with drones to deliver health-care products to the communities under study. The questionnaire is designed using the general factors derived from the literature. The responses received are then analysed using principal component analysis to determine the specific factors relevant to the area. Findings The results indicate that efficiency and cost-effectiveness, inventory management and accessibility of health-care products are the significant benefits accompanying drone technology. However, this study also identified limited payload capacity that hampers the range of medical products that can be transported. The quantities in which they can be delivered and the lack of trained personnel as barriers to using drone technology for health-care product delivery. In addition, health workers have the perception that the use of drones in the health-care industry is influenced by the attitude of health personnel towards the use of technology. Research limitations/implications Health workers have a favourable inclination towards the utilisation of drones for product delivery. They perceive drone technology to offer substantial enhancements to health-care services. Practical implications Zipline operations flourishing in Ghana issues on payload capacity limitations, investing in education and training, as well as involving health-care workers in the decision-making process should be addressed. Social implications Zipline operations in Ghana are well established and its expansion to other rural communities in Ghana is eminent to expand access to health care in rural communities. Originality/value This study set the tone for governments seeking to leverage the use of technology to improve health-care product delivery in Ghana.