Accra, March 19, – Zipline Ghana successfully conducted more than 4,000 drone deliveries of blood and blood products nationwide in 2025, bolstering emergency medical care, Dr. Shirley Phyllis Ohenewa Owusu‑Ofori, Chief Executive Officer of the National Blood Service, reported.
At the 2025 Annual Performance Review in Accra, she said Zipline executed 4,314 lifesaving deliveries and transported over 5,000 units of blood to 96 health facilities, particularly benefiting hard‑to‑reach communities where conventional transport is slow or unreliable.
Dr. Owusu‑Ofori noted that the drone deliveries reduced stock‑out incidents and accelerated emergency transfusions for conditions such as postpartum hemorrhage, severe anemia, trauma, and pediatric emergencies. Many facilities now treat Zipline as a dependable extension of their emergency supply chain.
The partnership also supported the Africa‑wide “Red Saturday” blood donation initiative in November 2025, helping Ghana surpass its national mobilization targets in the 12‑country campaign.
Highlighting the broader impact, Dr. Owusu‑Ofori said, “Partnerships such as the one with Zipline demonstrate what can be achieved when modern technology is applied to public health needs.” She urged other private sector actors to emulate Zipline’s example, emphasizing the importance of multi‑sectoral collaboration for national blood security.
The CEO reaffirmed the NBS’ commitment to ensuring that no patient is denied life‑saving blood due to distance or delayed transportation, while continuing to digitalize blood management, strengthen regional centers, and expand voluntary donation campaigns.
GHBUSS
March 19, 2026
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