malvernmugadzikwa
Emmanuel Kafe
FOR years, Mildred Chitadu, of Glovina village in Ward 14, Manyame rural district, struggled with health challenges.
Reaching the nearest health centre meant travelling a gruelling 25-kilometre journey, often ending in disappointment due to long queues and limited resources.
For her, this meant limited access to specialist care and a wider range of treatment options.
The financial strain that comes with travelling did not make the situation any better.
However, a recent Government initiative has brought relief to Chitadu and countless other villagers. The establishment of a new e-health centre has revolutionised access to healthcare.
Equipped with telemedicine technology, the centre allows patients like Chitadu to receive virtual consultations and recommendations for medications from healthcare professionals.
“I have been experiencing problems with my leg and often had to travel all the way to Harare for consultation and medication,” she told The Sunday Mail.
“But now, we have an e-health centre just a stone’s throw away, where I can talk to doctors virtually at any time.”
Her experience reflects the transformative power of the new telehealth facility.
The centre has brought world-class healthcare directly to the village, eliminating the need for long and arduous journeys.
This is particularly beneficial to elderly villagers and those with challenges with mobility.
“Since I started using this service, things have been much better for me,” she said, highlighting the savings on travel costs and resources previously spent on reaching the Beatrice District Hospital.
“The Government’s initiative is truly remarkable.”
Using video conferencing and other technologies at the centre, patients like Mildred are connecting with healthcare professionals remotely. With nurses or paramedics on site, the centre facilitates consultations with specialists in hospitals.
Linah Madanhi, a village health worker who assists as a coordinator at the e-health kiosk, is equally elated.
“Quality health service has finally arrived in our village,” she said.
“Here, villagers can have virtual consultations with doctors and receive prescriptions electronically. We essentially have a virtual surgery room and pharmacy, all within this e-health kiosk.”
Munashe Saungweme, the coordinator and receptionist at the kiosk, explained how the system works.
“A patient comes in and is greeted by a coordinator, who schedules a video call with a doctor in Harare,” he said.
“The patient and doctor consult via webcam, and the doctor prescribes medication after understanding the patient’s condition.
“We note down the prescription and after the consultation, we dispense the medication right here at the village ‘surgery’.
“This eliminates the need to travel for medication as well.”
Local villagers, he said, have wholeheartedly embraced the initiative.
This telehealth centre is part of the Government’s broader programme to facilitate easier access to healthcare services in rural
areas.
The initiative is a product of a public-private partnership between the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, and ZimSmart Villages, a local telemedicine service provider.
ZimSmart Villages plays a crucial role by ensuring the availability of doctors for online consultations.
TelOne, the State-owned telecommunications provider, steps in by guaranteeing reliable internet connectivity, a vital element for the system’s functionality.
Additionally, Zimpost, the national postal service, facilitates the seamless movement of blood samples, medicines and other essential items between the city and the village.
Ward 14 councillor Shakespeare Shumba said the e-health centre has ensured that
people receive medical attention when
needed.
“The initiative has brought relief and hope to the villagers, and it is a significant step towards improving healthcare services in rural Zimbabwe.
“We want to thank the Government for what they are doing; they are fulfilling what they promised during the election season.”
The Government has since launched four model telehealth centres across the country.
The nationwide rollout of the centres is being spearheaded by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, who is also Zimbabwe’s Health Ambassador.
Online Reporter