{
  "id": 543714,
  "title": "Expand drone services to cut maternal deaths – Zipline",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/expand-drone-services-to-cut-maternal-deaths-zipline",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-11T07:43:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ghanaian Times",
    "slug": "ghanaian-times",
    "url": "https://ghanaiantimes.com.gh/expand-drone-services-to-cut-maternal-deaths-zipline/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "Ghana's government is being urged to expand drone delivery services, specifically those operated by Zipline, to help reduce the country's high maternal mortality rate. Currently standing at 235 deaths per 100,000 live births, the rate is above the World Health Organisation's target of 70. Zipline's Country Director, Mr Daniel Kwaku Merki, highlighted the success of drone deliveries in the Ashanti region, where a recent study showed a 56.4% reduction in maternal mortality. He emphasized that drone technology can improve timely access to essential medical commodities, reduce stock-outs and wastage, and ultimately enhance healthcare outcomes. Merki emphasized that the technology could be expanded nationwide to benefit all Ghanaians, and its potential extends beyond healthcare, including agriculture, livestock vaccination, and disaster response.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}