Dubai Hospital Delivery Drone Completes Successful First Trial

Fakheeh University Hospital in Dubai has made history by flying a delivery of medicine to a patient’s house in Cedre Villas (Dubai Silicon Oasis) using a small, unmanned drone.

The groundbreaking achievement followed a series of trials in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

The introduction of drone deliveries represents a significant shift in healthcare accessibility. The small aerial craft could also prove life-saving in emergency situations, as they can quickly zip to their destination without having to worry about traffic jams or search for helicopter-sized landing spaces.

Fakeeh University Hospital CEO, Dr Fatih Mehmet Gul, was rightfully proud of the technological achievement: “Since our establishment, we have consistently embraced technological advancements to provide innovative services. However, this initiative marks a substantial leap forward in enhancing healthcare accessibility and achieving complete digitalization”.

Drone use also significantly reduces the hospital’s carbon footprint compared to traditional delivery methods — a factor that is especially important to the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority and the 2040 Urban Master Plan.

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Director-general of Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, said, “In line with our role within the Dubai Programme to Enable Drone Transportation, we are committed to empowering entities from the UAE and abroad to develop and test new drone solutions that boost efficiency and convenience”.

In 2021, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, announced a program that would enable the use of drones in multiple sectors, including shipping, food logistics, health, and security, with the aim of boosting global competitiveness and innovation within the Emirate.