Online Reporter
RURAL healthcare delivery has received a major boost after NetOne’s mobile financial services platform, OneMoney, in partnership with ZimSmart Villages, donated bicycles and essential medical equipment to the Mudhumeni WeHutano initiative at Maria Theresa Hospital in Chiweshe, Mashonaland Central province bringing critical health services closer to communities.
The donation, comprising bicycles, blood pressure machines and glucometers, is expected to strengthen community-based healthcare by enabling village health workers to provide regular screening and monitoring of chronic non-communicable diseases, including hypertension and diabetes, while facilitating the early detection of other health conditions.
The bicycles will enhance the mobility of village health workers, allowing them to reach households located far from health facilities and provide timely follow-up care for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, expectant mothers and people living with chronic illnesses.
The Mudhumeni WeHutano initiative is being championed under the patronage of First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots healthcare delivery and ensure essential health services reach communities in remote areas.
The initiative also complements President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an empowered upper-middle-income economy while ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.
For many rural communities, access to healthcare remains a significant challenge, with patients often travelling long distances to reach the nearest clinic or hospital.
The initiative is expected to reduce that burden by enabling routine blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring within communities, allowing patients to receive regular check-ups, health education and timely referrals without incurring transport costs.
Beyond healthcare, the partnership also promotes financial inclusion through OneMoney by extending secure and accessible digital financial services to rural communities, supporting inclusive socio-economic development.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, NetOne spokesperson Mr Ernest Magadzire said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to creating lasting social impact through strategic partnerships.
“At NetOne, we believe connectivity must translate into meaningful impact.
“Through OneMoney and our partnership with ZimSmart Villages, we are taking healthcare and financial inclusion closer to the people.
“By equipping community healthcare workers with these essential tools, we are enabling early detection and continuous monitoring of diseases such as hypertension and diabetes while improving the quality of life for thousands of rural Zimbabweans.
“This is how we connect communities to opportunity and build a more inclusive Zimbabwe in line with Vision 2030,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of ZimSmart Villages, Dr Admore Jokwiro said the programme demonstrates the importance of bringing essential healthcare services closer to communities.
“Healthcare should never be determined by where someone lives. Through Mudhumeni WeHutano, we are decentralising essential healthcare services and placing them within the reach of every household.
“When a village healthcare worker can monitor blood pressure, check blood sugar levels, provide health education and make timely referrals, we save lives, reduce healthcare costs and strengthen the resilience of our communities.
“We are proud to partner with OneMoney and NetOne in making quality healthcare accessible to all,” he said.
Village Head Kakora welcomed the intervention, saying it would significantly improve access to healthcare for local families.
“For many years our people travelled long distances simply to have their blood pressure or sugar levels checked.
“Some postponed seeking medical attention because they could not afford transport, putting their lives at risk.
“These bicycles and medical equipment have brought healthcare closer to our homes.
“Our village healthcare workers can now reach the elderly, monitor patients regularly and encourage people to seek treatment early. We are grateful to Her Excellency Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa,
OneMoney, NetOne and ZimSmart Villages for remembering our community,” he said.
The Mudhumeni WeHutano initiative is expected to enhance community-based primary healthcare by improving disease prevention, early diagnosis, patient monitoring and timely referrals.
The partnership underscores the growing role of public-private collaboration in strengthening Zimbabwe’s healthcare system, while demonstrating how digital innovation, community investment and strategic partnerships can contribute to improved health outcomes and sustainable national development.
