The Country Manager of Zipline, Mrs Catherine Odiase said in
a statement in Lagos on Sunday after the ceremony to flag- off construction at
the site, situated at Ogoja, Local Government Area of Cross River.
The State’s Commissioner of Health, Dr Betta Edu said that
it marked a milestone in improving healthcare delivery across the state.
Edu said: “Improved and timely access to healthcare is a
cardinal objective of the state government. Our partnership with Zipline,
underscores this.
Edu lauded the partnership saying, “the partnership with
Zipline, would further ensure even distribution of medical commodities to
health facilities across the state and we look forward to the earnest
completion of the project, ” he said.
The Special Advisor to the Governor on Health, Dr David
Ushie said, “Zipline, through its revolutionary medical drone delivery service,
has a track record in removing barriers militating against access to healthcare
– especially in hard-to-reach areas, a reason the community should give a full
support to the project to seeing that it is delivered right within time”
The Country Manager of Zipline, Mrs Catherine Odiase, said
they are thrilled to partner Cross River.
“Our partnership with Cross River State transcends
delivering medical supplies. We are on a mission to reinvent healthcare
delivery systems through cutting edge solutions.
“This is with a view to ensure healthy lives and promote the
well-being for all at all ages,” Catherine emphasized.
“On Completion, due in about four months, the hub will
facilitate deliveries of vital medical supplies to health facilities that serve
millions of people across the State,” she said.
Odiase said that the center is also expected to support all
health facilities with emergency response capabilities, as well as routine and
stockout-response deliveries of medicines, vaccines, and blood.
She said that the distribution center will support the
delivery of medical supplies 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
It will be recalled that the state government and Zipline,
recently signed an agreement for on-demand drone delivery of medical supplies
to health facilities across the state.