A drone cruises through the sky in Taizhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

A medical drone completed its first flight in Taizhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on June 18, carrying blood samples from a community health service center to Taizhou Central Hospital in just five minutes.

The mission was the first of the city's drone-based medical transport service. The network aims to boost emergency care efficiency by using drones to deliver critical items such as test samples and emergency medications.

The system currently operates along two smart air routes and covers four branch clinics under the hospital's medical group, including centers in Zhang'an, Baiyun, Jiazhi, and Dongshan subdistricts. From drone transport to lab testing and digital report transmission, the system forms a streamlined "aerial emergency network".

Unlike ground transport, which can be delayed by traffic or poor road conditions, the drones operate continuously between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm. In cases of restricted airspace or extreme weather, deliveries are automatically switched to ground transportation, ensuring uninterrupted service.

According to the hospital, drone transport has more than doubled the speed of emergency sample and medicine delivery, greatly improving response times during critical care.

The project is also a model for smart healthcare solutions and strengthens public medical services. Plans are underway to expand the network to more medical scenarios, offering faster, more reliable care citywide.