Government News
China's 1st emergency drone delivery of medical devices takes off in Shanghai 2025-06-30
In a groundbreaking trial flight, Shanghai has launched China's first low-altitude drone delivery network for emergency medical supplies. A drone carrying 10 kilograms of sterile surgical instruments recently touched down on the rooftop of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, completing a 5-kilometer journey in just 10 minutes—nearly 50% faster than traditional road transport.
A Lifeline for Life-Saving Surgeries
The successful test marks a major leap in emergency medical logistics, offering a rapid-response solution for hospitals facing urgent surgical demands.
Yu Xianjun, President of Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, emphasized the critical need for speed in complex surgeries, "Our hospital performs over 80,000 major tumor surgeries annually, with minimally invasive procedures making up nearly 50%—rising to 70-80% for high-risk cases like pancreatic cancer. These operations demand highly specialized instruments, and emergencies often require equipment beyond our on-site stock. This aerial 'lifeline' gives us a game-changing support system where every second counts."
How It Works
The trial was powered by SteriGuard Medical Management Group, a medical sterilization and logistics provider. Once the hospital placed an urgent order, the company packed the sterile surgical kit, filed an airspace request and deployed an 8-rotor drone equipped with radar, RTK positioning, and emergency landing capabilities
Jiang Dan, General Manager of SteriGuard, explained the motivation behind the pilot program, "Urgent equipment deliveries are common, and traditional logistics can't always meet the time-sensitive demands of patient care. When we learned about Shanghai's new low-altitude drone policies earlier this year, we knew we had to be pioneers in testing this system."
Seamless Hospital Integration
Upon arrival, the drone's cargo undergoes a strict verification process. Fan Juan, an operating room nurse at the cancer center, described the protocol, "This is our sterile supply reception area. We verify the instruments' details, register them, and confirm sterilization status. Once cleared, we immediately alert the operating team so the tools can be used without delay."
The Future: A Regional Drone Network
Located in the Shanghai International Medical Zone—a hub for oncology hospitals and biotech firms—the cancer center sees this trial as just the beginning. The hospital aims to expand the program into a regional drone delivery network across the Yangtze Delta, ensuring even faster emergency response for critical medical needs.
With this innovation, Shanghai is not only setting a new standard for medical logistics in China but also showcasing how cutting-edge technology can save lives—one flight at a time.
Source: Shanghai Eye
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| 04-16 | 21315227 | Processing |
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