In another unique public-private sector partnership that raises Dubai’s global competitiveness as a hub for advanced technologies and smart applications, the city saw the completion of the first successful trial of medical delivery via drones at Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the special economic zone for knowledge and innovation and a member of the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ).

The completion of the trial makes Fakeeh University Hospital, an academic-focused smart healthcare facility based in DSO, the first healthcare provider in the Middle East to leverage drone technology for medication delivery. The introduction of drone delivery of medicine presents a shift in healthcare accessibility and efficiency. The key benefits of this innovative approach include quick response, enhanced accessibility, reliability, and sustainability.

The game-changing achievement took place within a 10-kilometre radius, transporting medication from the hospital to a patient's home in Cedre Villas, a gated community of luxury villas in the heart of DSO. It follows a series of year-long trials conducted at DSO, in collaboration with the Dubai Future Foundation (DFF) and the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

By leveraging drones, Fakeeh University Hospital can now deliver medication promptly to patients, significantly reducing response time and potentially saving lives in critical situations. Drones also eliminate geographical barriers, allowing patients to receive medication without on-ground delays. This ground-breaking solution ensures equitable access to healthcare services for all UAE residents.

The trial is also in line with the objectives of the ‘Dubai Programme to Enable Drone Transportation’ launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai in 2021, aimed at increasing the efficiency of transportation services by utilising drones for various purposes.