Drone Applications in Primary Health Care During Routine and Emergency Conditions: A Rapid Review

Chandra Kusumawardhani (Universitas Pertahanan Republik Indonesia)
Sutanto (Universitas Pertahanan, Indonesia)
Sovian Aritonang (Universitas Pertahanan, Indonesia)

ARMADA : Jurnal Penelitian Multidisiplin
Vol. 4 No. 9 (2026): ARMADA : Jurnal Penelitian Multidisplin, September 2026

Primary Health Care (PHC) may face challenges, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. Drones have emerged as an enabling technology for supporting healthcare access and logistics, but reported applications remain dispersed across operational contexts. This study aimed to identify and map reported drone applications relevant to PHC under routine and emergency conditions. A rapid review informed by the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Guidance was conducted. Literature published from 2019 to 2026 was identified through Google Scholar, with the final search conducted in August 2026. Approximately 35 publications were reviewed for relevance, and 9 publications were selected for final synthesis. Data were extracted using a structured evidence table and synthesized descriptively according to routine and emergency conditions. Reported applications included vaccine delivery, medical products and logistics transportation, biological specimen transportation, and emergency-response support. Routine applications primarily supported healthcare logistics and diagnostic connectivity, while emergency applications included time-sensitive delivery of medicines, AEDs, naloxone, and specimens. COVID-19 provided an additional biological-emergency context for maintaining access to medicines and vaccines during disruptions. Drones may support PHC access and continuity when conventional transportation or supply chains are constrained. Further studies should evaluate operational reliability, safety, cost, regulatory requirements, healthcare-worker acceptance, and integration with PHC systems.