22/08/2026

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‘Drones could help improve healthcare logistics efficiency’

Flag-adorned giant wau unites residents ALOR SETAR: Expressing their love for the country, residents from Batu 10 Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) in Kota Sarang Semut worked together to make a giant wau (traditional Malay kite), decorated with the national flag and the Kedah state flag for this year’s National Day celebrations. Its chairman Azhar Abu Bakar, 63, said the traditional wau stood more than three metres tall, measured over 4.5m in width and weighed nearly 10kg, with eight flags of various sizes incorporated into the patterns on its body and wings. “This initiative was organised by Batu 10 KRT to mark the National Month celebration. We started a week ago by putting up Jalur Gemilang around the area, and this marks the highlight of the celebrations, with the installation of this giant wau . “We chose the wau as a symbol because it is one of the country’s traditional pastimes. “As for the combination of the two flags, the Jalur Gemilang represents Malaysia, and since we are in Kedah, we decided to combine the two,” he said when met on Thursday. Azhar said work on the giant wau involved sewing the flags onto a framework made of bamboo, wood and piping, as well as balancing the structure to ensure it could be safely erected at the designated site. He said between 15 and 20 residents of various ages took part in the project, strengthening bonds of friendship and the spirit of unity within the local KRT community. “Throughout the project, many children stopped to watch, especially when they saw the giant wau adorned with the Jalur Gemilang and Kedah state flag. “We are confident it can attract the young generation and help instil the spirit of patriotism in them,” he said. He added that the project was carried out in response to a call by the Kedah Department of National Unity and Integration, which promotes various national-themed programmes to strengthen unity and patriotism among the community. – Bernama

BERA: The use of drones to transport medical samples between hospitals could help improve the efficiency of healthcare logistics, particularly by reducing delivery time, said Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kasim. He said the initiative was carried out under a Proof of Concept (POC) project by Alphaswift Industries Sdn Bhd, involving drone deliveries between Bera Hospital and Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Hospital in Temerloh. “Tests found that drone delivery could save about 20 minutes compared with land transport over a distance of about 20km. Various aspects were also evaluated during the POC, including delivery time, sample quality, test result accuracy and logistics, to compare air and land delivery methods,” he said after the Medical Drone Delivery Project Recognition Ceremony at Bera Hospital on Thursday, Bernama reported. Razali said drone technology also offer advantages during natural disasters, traffic congestion or road disruptions, as deliveries by air could continue despite such conditions. He said the initiative, which was still in the testing stage, was carried out in several phases, beginning with a drop test on Dec 11 last year, followed by flight and delivery tests on Jan 22 and a medical drone crash response exercise on Feb 11 to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the system. However, Razali said the official use of drones to deliver medical samples by the Health Ministry required further study, including on cost-effectiveness, regulatory requirements o Initiative saves delivery time compared with land transport and offers advantage during natural disasters or road disruptions, says Pahang exco

Alphaswift Industries staff demonstrating how a drone is used to deliver medical samples. – BERNAMAPIC

Alphaswift Industries said in a statement the project was the first of its kind in Malaysia to transport blood samples between two hospitals, highlighting the potential of the technology to improve healthcare logistics. “The project, carried out in collaboration with the ministry, is an important step towards exploring the use of new technology to support healthcare delivery, particularly the transport of medical materials.”

and funding. He said further studies should take into account the cost of land delivery, including the use of vehicles, drivers and fuel, to provide a more comprehensive cost comparison. Razali said the next test would be conducted in Tawau, Sabah, while other locations in Pahang and other states could be considered based on logistical suitability and local conditions.