Elevating Healthcare Resilience:  Role of drones in mitigating supply chain challenges in Malaysia

Siti Norida Wahab; Norashida Othman; Muhammad Yazid Sahak; Nikram Subramaniam

doi:10.21834/e-bpj.v9iSI19.5769

Authors

Siti Norida Wahab Department of Technology and Supply Chain Management Studies, Faculty of Business and Management, University Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Selangor, Malaysia
Norashida Othman Department of Economics and Financial Studies, Faculty of Business and Management, University Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Selangor, Malaysia
Muhammad Yazid Sahak Health Facility Planning Section, Planning Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia
Nikram Subramaniam Health Facility Planning Section, Planning Division, Ministry of Health, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v9iSI19.5769

Keywords:

Drones, Healthcare, Supply Chain, COVID-19, Chain Disruption, Sustainability

Abstract

This paper explores the usage of drones in the Malaysian healthcare supply chain (HSC) and proposes strategies by identifying the challenges faced. A detailed literature review found several challenges, such as limited technical capability, strict government regulation, the need for a 5G network, and limited drone capabilities. Hence, some of the identified mitigation strategies are investment in tertiary education, government legislation improvement, expedited 5G network adoption, collaboration with NGOs, and providing drones with multi-functionality. This study contributes to the knowledge relevant to drone technology and the HSC. Future studies should investigate the practicability of drones that can support HSC management.

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