Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, Zimpapers Senior Writer
THE Ministry of Health and Child Care has begun rolling out Starlink connectivity kits across provinces, with Bulawayo City Council (BCC) health services set to benefit through installations at all 22 municipal clinics and Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital.
Starlink, a satellite-based Internet service developed by SpaceX, delivers high-speed, low-latency broadband via a constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth. Its ability to reach remote and under-served areas makes it a vital tool in bridging digital gaps within the health sector.
Presenting a recent report to council, BCC Director of Health Services, Dr Edwin Mzingwane, said the initiative would revolutionise the delivery of health services in Bulawayo.
“The gesture was envisaged to provide reliable broadband for remote tele-consultations — reducing travel and speeding up referrals, enabling seamless access to the Impilo EHR system, and easing workloads through real-time data transmission to the national Data Centre for improved monitoring and response,” he said.
The Ministry will oversee the installation of the kits and provide technical support, while BCC will be responsible for a monthly subscription fee of US$109 per facility. The national rollout of the programme commenced last month.
Council noted that the initiative aligns with its ambition to become a smart and transformative city.
“The Ministry of Health and Child Care is working towards reducing paper usage and decommissioning all paper-based registers. Reliable internet connectivity is pivotal to achieving this vision. The nationwide decommissioning of some registers was successfully piloted in Bulawayo’s health facilities, and the arrival of this connectivity will enhance that process,” said Dr Mzingwane.
BCC highlighted several benefits of the Starlink connectivity kits, including unlimited, fast and reliable internet access at all facilities, on-the-job training via Impilo EHR instructional videos for health workers, and remote technical assistance — significantly reducing travel costs.
Additionally, real-time data synchronisation into the DHIS2 system will enable monitoring at all levels and ensure data backup, safeguarding critical health-related information.
“It was resolved to recommend that BCC authorises the installation of Starlink connectivity kits from the Ministry of Health and Child Care at the 22 health facilities and Thorngrove Hospital, and that council approves payment of the monthly subscription fee of US$109 per facility,” read the report.
The programme is in line with the Government’s Health Sector Strategy, which emphasises harnessing technology to improve access, strengthen health information systems and enhance emergency response capacity. By integrating Starlink, Bulawayo’s health facilities are expected to significantly reduce service delays, cut operational costs and improve patient care.
