On the morning of August 7, Hubei Three Gorges Polytechnic Affiliated Hospital successfully carried out Yichang’s first drone-based medical drug delivery, marking the launch of Yichang’s first “Drone-based Medical Air Transport Corridor.”

　　At 9:30 am, a drone loaded with medical drugs took off from the hospital’s helipad and touched down at Qingdao Road Community Clinic in Xiling District’s Dongyuan Subdistrict just 2 minutes and 25 seconds later. Community medics quickly retrieved the medication for patients.

　　The medical drone logistics system uses hexacopters outfitted with high-precision navigation systems and all-weather flight capabilities. Covering eight community clinics within a 15-kilometer radius, it enables urgent deliveries within 8 minutes, serving over 130,000 residents. The drones transport critical medical supplies, including emergency kits, lab specimens, frozen plasma and pharmaceuticals.

　　This project has significantly boosted emergency response capabilities. Compared to traditional ambulance transport of specimens, it also cuts staffing, time and operational costs. (Reporter/ Zhang Tingting, Correspondents/Zhang Bokang and Liao Zhenzhen)