Cross River, Bayelsa States Partner with Zipline to Ensure Continuous HIV Treatment Supply

In response to the recent collapse of USAID-funded healthcare supply chains, the governments of Cross River and Bayelsa States have formed a partnership with the logistics company Zipline to guarantee a dependable supply of HIV treatments to hospitals and healthcare facilities, without any additional costs to the states.

A statement from Zipline, released on Wednesday, highlighted the severe consequences of the disruption in USAID-funded supply chains, which has led to significant gaps in healthcare delivery globally.

The statement noted that since the implementation of the Trump administration’s foreign aid freeze in January 2025, over 40,000 individuals worldwide have succumbed to the lack of access to HIV antiretroviral medications.

With an ongoing stop-work order extending for another 30 days, national and state governments in Nigeria are taking proactive measures to ensure their citizens can continue accessing life-saving medications.

Through this collaboration with Zipline, Bayelsa and Cross River States are redefining their healthcare supply chains independent of donor support, utilizing their existing state-led initiatives to enhance the reliability and equity of their healthcare systems.

For instance, Zipline has rapidly assumed control of antiretroviral therapy deliveries for 33,000 HIV-positive individuals, successfully delivering thousands of ARV doses within days.

In response to the recent attack, the states also aim to restore malaria, tuberculosis, and nutrition care services through Zipline, addressing gaps left by the cessation of USAID funding.

Zipline’s innovative solutions will play a critical role in bolstering the health logistics infrastructure of both states.

This initiative is further supported by a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Federal Ministry of Health in September 2024, which facilitates the wider national adoption of Zipline’s drone delivery technology.

Additionally, discussions are underway with neighboring states to utilize Zipline’s existing distribution facilities in Bayelsa and Cross River, with plans to establish a new hub in southern Cross River to ensure comprehensive coverage across all 18 local government areas.

Since beginning its partnership with Cross River State in 2023, Zipline has delivered over two million vaccine doses, contributing to Cross River becoming Nigeria’s most-vaccinated state.

Currently, Zipline serves more than 650 health facilities and drop points across Bayelsa and Cross River and has trained over 600 community healthcare workers and mobilizers to enhance local healthcare capacity in communities.

Dr. Vivien Otu, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, remarked, “Zipline has been a transformative force for us in Cross River State.

The service is not only reliable but also cost-effective, enabling us to consistently deliver essential medical supplies to residents across the state, especially in challenging terrains and riverine communities. We are dedicated to investing in technology-driven solutions to enhance our healthcare system and support our efforts to protect lives and livelihoods throughout the state.”

Akin Oyediran, the Partnerships Executive for Zipline Nigeria, added, “The impressive success of Cross River and Bayelsa States in utilizing drone technology for healthcare supply chains serves as a powerful model for other states in Nigeria and across the continent.

This innovative approach not only allows for faster deliveries but also enhances predictability, fostering greater confidence in the healthcare system.

Zipline is instrumental in creating more resilient health systems, demonstrating how deliberate government initiatives can lead to transformative outcomes.”

According to data from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, of the more than two million people living with HIV in Nigeria, 1,753,425 are aware of their HIV status.

This figure includes 1,693,457 adults—comprising 579,209 males and 1,114,401 females—and 54,983 children aged 0 to 14.