Kuala lumpur: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in collaboration with the Health Ministry, is set to launch a pilot project utilizing drones to deliver medicines in Tawau, Sabah, around September or October. This initiative aims to expand the role of the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) in healthcare delivery, targeting approximately 12 villages, especially those in rural and remote areas.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, MCMC NADI Office head Dr. Mohd Arif Adenan stated that the initiative falls under the NADI Smart Services programme and is designed to assist residents who face challenges in obtaining regular medicine supplies. The project is a collaborative effort involving the Health Ministry, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), the Sabah government, and other agencies, ensuring smooth and safe operations through a whole-of-government approach.
Dr. Mohd Arif emphasized that the programme will alleviate the need for patients to travel long distances for medicines, significantly cutting down on time and transportation costs. A study by Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) revealed that residents in Sabah's interior travel between 20 and 30 kilometers to reach hospitals, making transportation costs a significant barrier to healthcare access.
The MCMC is considering expanding the initiative to other areas with similar needs if the pilot project meets its objectives. Currently, medicine delivery by post is available through Pos Malaysia, with NADI serving as a one-stop collection centre within local communities. Additionally, NADI centres provide basic health screening services, reducing the necessity of routine hospital visits for checks such as blood pressure monitoring.
Dr. Mohd Arif noted that if patients record abnormal health readings, NADI will promptly connect them with the relevant hospital for further assessment. This initiative not only lowers traveling costs but also helps reduce congestion at healthcare facilities. The effort illustrates MCMC's commitment to transforming NADI from a digital connectivity hub into a community centre offering broader access to essential government and public services.
Looking ahead, Dr. Mohd Arif mentioned that MCMC has no plans to increase the number of physical NADI centres, as the current policy ensures each state constituency has at least one centre. Instead, the focus will be on expanding NADI 2.0 virtual services to reach communities located further away, following a Merdeka Centre study indicating that most users reside within one to two kilometers of existing centres.
He added that MCMC is exploring the possibility of extending the NADI network to locations lacking such facilities, including military camps and police barracks, where there is a demand for digital services and community development programmes. International recognition from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other accolades have opened new opportunities for global collaboration for NADI.
Plans are also underway to introduce more micro-credential courses in partnership with international institutions like Cisco and Hewlett Packard (HP), allowing participants, particularly rural youths, to gain industry-recognized certifications that boost their employability.