A socio-economic analysis of the role of medical drones in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic

Economic Annals-XXI: Volume 197, Issue (5-6), Pages: 32-36

Citation information:
Hidayat, N. A., Sebayang, A. N. O., & Jumintono (2022). A socio-economic analysis of the role of medical drones in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic Annals-XXI, 197(5-6), 32-36. doi: https://doi.org/10.21003/ea.V197-05


Niko Azhari Hidayat
PhD (Economics),
Faculty of Advanced Technology and Multidisciplinary Studies,
Airlangga University Hospital
Surabaya, 60115, Indonesia (Corresponding author)
niko-a-h@fk.unair.ac.id
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0813-8384

Abed Nego Okthara Sebayang
Medical Doctor,
Faculty of Medicine,
HKBP Nommensen University
Medan, 20235, Indonesia
fakultas.kedokteran@uhn.ac.id
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1679-2025

Jumintono
PhD (Economics),
Faculty of Technical and Vocational Education,
University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia
Johor, 86400, Malaysia
masmintosragen@gmail.com
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7591-649X

A socio-economic analysis of the role of medical drones in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract. Coronavirus is a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from mild to severe symptoms. The high and fast transmission rate causes all activities in various fields, including the health and economic sector, to be carried out with caution. Different technologies are also developed to support health workers’ performance and financial circumstances, including drones in multiple aspects of medical needs ranging from delivering drugs and medical devices to carrying out vital sign checks. This study uses a qualitative descriptive. Data was obtained utilizing observation and literature study. Medical drones have a strategic role in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, starting from the enforcement of social distancing programs, COVID-19 transport specimens to disinfection facilities in large areas. Medical drones are the latest technology in the medical field that helps medical performance improve healthcare service quality. The use of drones in the health sector needs to be further developed.

Keywords: Medical Drone; Financial Circumstances; COVID-19; Medical Transportation; Social Distancing

JEL Classіfіcatіon: I11; I14; I15

Acknowledgements and Funding: The researchers express sincere appreciation to Airlangga University for the support in writing this article since the early stages of the research and HKBP Nommensen University Medan, who had also supported and provided input in the process of writing this paper.

Contribution: The authors contributed equally to this work.

Data Availability Statement: All data will be available upon request.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21003/ea.V197-05

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Received 20.01.2022
Received in revised form 22.02.2022
Accepted 26.02.2022
Available online 22.06.2022