Mobile app to monitor child’s health launched

ZIMBABWE has made history by becoming the first African country to roll out a parenting mobile application designed as a one-stop digital resource, offering reliable, expert advice on child health, safety and development to families nationwide.

The Ministry of Health and Child Care, in partnership with UNICEF and with support from the Embassy of Japan in Zimbabwe, officially launched the application — Rera Umntwana (“Nurture Your Child”) — on Friday in Harare. A second launch is expected to follow in Bulawayo on a date to be confirmed by the Ministry.

The launch comes at a critical time for child health in Zimbabwe. Nearly one in four children under the age of five is stunted — meaning they are not growing or developing as expected for their age — while a further 4.3 per cent suffer from wasting, a severe and potentially life-threatening form of malnutrition.

The application allows parents and caregivers to download it onto their smartphones, enter basic information about their child and receive guidance tailored to the child’s age and stage of development. It also functions offline and includes reminders for immunisations and micronutrient supplements in line with the national immunisation schedule.

Designed to support children from birth to six years of age, the platform provides interactive guidance to promote healthy physical, emotional and cognitive development. It recognises that when a child is born, a parent is also born — often with many questions and a need for trusted, evidence-based information.

Speaking at the Harare launch, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Sleiman Kwidini, said Zimbabwe had taken a pioneering role in adapting the platform locally.

“Recognising its value, Zimbabwe became the first African country to adopt and adapt the platform into a local version known as Rerai Umntwana — a Shona and isiNdebele expression meaning ‘Nurture the Child’. Originally developed as Bebbo by UNICEF ECARO and partners, the application was successfully piloted across Europe and Asia, reaching more than one million users,” he said.

He added that the Government recognises the importance of the earliest years of life in shaping a child’s physical, cognitive and emotional development.
“Parents and caregivers play a central role in shaping these outcomes. However, many families continue to face challenges in accessing reliable and trustworthy information, particularly in an era where social media platforms are saturated with unverified advice. The need to provide accurate, accessible and culturally relevant information through digital platforms has therefore never been greater,” Hon. Kwidini said.

“Rera Umntwana bridges this gap by providing localised, easy-to-understand content that complements community-based child health and development services. Caregivers with access to mobile phones — even in remote areas — can receive age-appropriate guidance that promotes healthy growth and development.”

Evidence consistently shows that children raised in stable and nurturing environments are more likely to develop strong self-esteem, positive social skills and fewer behavioural difficulties.
UNICEF Representative to Zimbabwe, Etona Ekole, emphasised the urgency of early intervention.

“The earliest years of life, particularly the first 1,000 days, shape a child’s lifelong health, learning and potential. What happens during this time matters deeply. When children lack proper nutrition, nurturing care, safety and early stimulation, the effects are not temporary; they can last a lifetime.

“In Zimbabwe, too many children are starting life at a disadvantage. Over 76 per cent of children under five live in food poverty, unable to access a diet that meets their basic nutritional needs. As a result, more than a quarter of children under five are stunted, meaning their growth, learning and future potential are already being limited. Behind these numbers are real children, real families and real hopes for a better tomorrow,” he said.

The project is expected to benefit more than 20,000 Zimbabwean parents and guardians in its initial phase.