MAKASSAR: Indonesian drone aficionados are using their hobby to help COVID-19 patients by supplying a service that delivers contactless medicine and food to their isolation sites.
“I think the medicine received from a drone is safer from contamination,” said Hartati, a housewife from a family suffering from COVID-19 and self-isolating since mid-August. She added how the delivery system is a game-changer.
The family of four were from a hotspot where 80 per cent of residents are COVID-19 positive, according to Makassar’s data. The ‘Makassar Recover Drone Medic’ team, made up of seven members and five drones, worked in tandem with the local task force to deliver since July, said Muhammad Dasysyara Dahyar, founder and coordinator.
Indonesia has recorded more than four million cases and 131,000 fatalities, touted as one of the countries worst affected by the pandemic.
The range of (each) drone is around seven kilometres, so it is possible to reach the islands,” said Mohammad Ramdhan Pomato, Mayor of Makassar, on the plan to expand the drone delivery circumference to nearby islands and docked ships that are under quarantine.