22 telehealth booths for rural areas

Richard Muponde

Zimpapers Politics Hub

ZIMBABWE is surging ahead with innovation and technology after a local health entity, ZimSmart Villages, set up 22 Artificial Intelligence-driven health kiosks in rural areas for villagers to virtually consult doctors.

The focus on technology aligns with the Government’s Vision 2030, which seeks to achieve an empowered, modern, prosperous and highly industrialised nation within the next five years.

ZimSmart Villages is a telehealth and wellness ecosystem committed to democratising health access by bringing services to communities needing them the most through the adoption of technology. The company is using AfyaSelfie AI for the diagnosis of various ailments that mainly affect the majority of people, especially the elderly.

In an interview at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on Thursday, where the organisation was exhibiting at the second edition of the Zimbabwe Annual Telecommunications Conference, ZimSmart Villages’ business development manager, Miss Alsandra Kuvaoga confirmed the development, which she said is meant to bridge the digital divide.

“While telehealth is a concept that has been in use for a while now, we are in the process of implementing telehealth access points in the form of kiosks, booths, and franchises. By doing so, even those without smartphones can walk to the nearest kiosk and talk to a doctor virtually. We have since set up 22 facilities that are supported by a network of telehealth booths.”

She said the company’s initiatives enhance ICT’s drive for digital inclusion, which aims to improve the quality of life for all Zimbabweans.

“By providing access points through these kiosks and booths, we are supporting the Government’s mission to bridge the digital divide and ensure that technology benefits every Zimbabwean, not only those in towns and cities.

“This initiative makes healthcare more accessible and affordable.

“For example, a community member in Matema, in the heart of Nyanga, who used to travel 20 km to the nearest health facility now only needs to walk a few minutes to the kiosk at the shopping centre to consult a doctor,” she said.