mWell Launches Southeast Asia’s First Medical Drone Delivery Service

mWell, the digital healthcare arm of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, has made history by launching mWell OnTheGo Drone Delivery, Southeast Asia’s first medical drone delivery service.

Healthcare in the heavens. PLDT Greater Metro Manila LGU Head Mari Javier, DOH Assistant Secretary Ariel Valencia, DICT Secretary Ivan Uy, Philippines Flying Labs Managing Director Dr. Heidi Sampang, and mWell Business Development Head Tisha Quinito graced the inaugural launch of the program aimed at eliminating long travel times so health workers can focus on providing care instead of logistics. I Photos: mWell

The inaugural launch took place in Barangay Niogan, Pililla, Rizal, aiming to complement telemedicine services for geographically isolated communities.

"Distance should never be a barrier to healthcare," said mWell Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

"Through drones, we’re bridging the gap between patients and life-saving medicines. This isn’t just about convenience—it’s about providing essential medical help to every Filipino in need."

mWell CEO and President Chaye Cabal-Revilla emphasized the company’s commitment to accessible healthcare.

"Our goal has always been to make health and wellness accessible, affordable, and available anytime, anywhere. Drone technology enables us to deliver medical supplies to Indigenous Peoples (IP) communities and remote areas across the country. Through our partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), we will be able to reach even more communities and improve patient outcomes," she said.

The launch event was attended by DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, Department of Health Assistant Secretary Ariel Valencia, and mWell representatives, along with officials from the Philippines Flying Labs (PFL), the company’s technology partner.

“We can proudly say that we are not being left behind by other countries. This drone service will help deliver medicines to far-flung areas, benefiting many of our countrymen," said Secretary Uy.

Innovative Healthcare Solutions for Remote Communities

The mWell app has already been providing mWell OnTheGo Clinic-In-A-Bag—a portable teleconsultation kit that includes a tablet or mobile phone, online health passes for doctor consultations, a Smart Pocket Wi-Fi device, and essential medical tools like a digital thermometer, blood pressure monitor, and oximeter.

Through DICT’s Broadband ng Masa initiative, mWell has expanded its telehealth services to areas with little to no internet access.

However, a major challenge remained: patients in remote areas often struggle to obtain prescribed medications due to limited pharmacy access.

"Our teleconsultations revealed that patients frequently have trouble getting prescribed medicines because they aren’t available in local health centers," said mWell Business Development Head Tisha Quinitio.

"With drone deliveries, after an mWell teleconsultation, doctors can send prescriptions electronically, and medicines can be dispatched via drone at the click of a button."

Pioneering Drone Delivery in Healthcare

Philippines Flying Labs (PFL) developed the technology behind the drone service. In 2015, PFL co-founder Dr. Heidi Sampang partnered with global drone expert Patrick Meier and engineer Joel Cruz to create long-distance cargo drones.

PFL was the first in Asia to deliver mRNA vaccines using insulated cargo boxes and the first in Southeast Asia to use drones for medical deliveries across oceans.

In remote areas like Agusan del Sur, where people rely on makeshift habal-habal motorcycles for transport, a journey that typically takes two hours can now be completed by drone in just 10 minutes. In Tawi-Tawi, an island-to-island medical delivery that used to take two hours by boat can now be completed in just eight minutes.

"By eliminating long travel times, health workers can focus on providing care instead of transporting supplies," Dr. Sampang noted.

With mWell OnTheGo Drone Delivery, the future of healthcare access in the Philippines is taking flight.