adminBlessing Rwizi
NYANGA District Medical Officer, Dr Admore Jokwiro, last week scooped the first runner-up Top ICT innovator of the year (35 years and below) award from the Zimbabwe Information Communication Technology Achievers Awards (ZICTAAs) ceremony held at a local hotel.
The event held on December 5 was organised by the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier Services to acknowledge efforts by individuals and organisations in contributing meaningfully to the development of Zimbabwe through ICTs.
Dr Jokwiro was nominated following the introduction of the tele-medicine facility in Nyanga District early this year at Nyatate and Tombo clinics. He walked away with a printer and certificate among other prizes.
Telemedicine is a system that enables villagers to access professional medical services from nearby clinics through video conferencing despite the geographical and economic barriers, thereby bringing convenience.
Dr Jokwiro toured e-health infrastructures and e-health activities in India this year for the enhancement of medical facilities in Nyanga and Manicaland at large.
The first prize went to Gideon Moyo, while Ian Mutamari scooped the second runner-up award.
In an interview, Dr Jokwiro, said he felt honoured to receive the award. He promised to work hard to ensure that the tele-medicine facility is available in all districts in Manicaland in a few years to come.
“It feels so good to be recognised among the top ICT innovators in the country. I am so humbled. I will work extra hard to make sure that the tele-medicine facility expands to the rest of the districts in Manicaland within the next few years. The facility assists less privileged people to get speciality medical services at very low costs,” said Dr Jokwiro.
Speaking at the prize giving ceremony, Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Cde Miriam Chikukwa, said despite the need for ICTs to drive the economic growth necessitated by the 21st century digital age, it still needed to be affordable.
“The 21st century still requires affordable, ubiquitous networks which are as critical to social and economic prosperity as much as transport, water and power. However, the tele-medicine facility has indeed brought life to the people in Nyanga as it is affordable and very fast. I believe its expansion to other parts of the country will do us good as a nation. This is good,” said Cde Chikukwa.
Other proposed award categories at the event were the Top ICT Company of the year (large/ SME), Top ICT Project of the year (Public/ Private), Top ICT Website of the year, Top ICT Enabled Courier Company of the year, Top ICT school of the year.(Urban/ Rural), Top ICT Web Developer of the year (Company/ Individual), Top ICT Business Person of the year.(Woman / Man), Top ICT Journalist of the year and the Top ICT animator of the year.
Online Reporter