By Fanuel Chinowaita
NetOne has funded the first 10 mobile health kiosks under the Presidential Ward-Based Primary Health-Care Outreach Programme, which seeks to expand access to essential medical services in remote and underserved communities across Zimbabwe.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to officially launch the programme on Saturday, 17 October 2026, on the sidelines of the ZANU PF Annual National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi.
The initial rollout will see each of Zimbabwe’s 10 provinces receiving one three-wheeler mobile health kiosk, forming part of a planned national deployment of 100 units extending to district level.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the ZANU PF Health Department in partnership with NetOne and ZimSmart Villages, with the aim of using technology and community-based healthcare services to improve access to primary healthcare.
NetOne spokesperson Ernest Magadzire said the investment reflected the telecommunications company’s commitment to translating connectivity into tangible benefits for communities.
“As NetOne celebrates 30 years of connecting Zimbabwe, we are proud to support an initiative that brings healthcare closer to the people. We believe connectivity must translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives,” said Magadzire.
He said the mobile health kiosks would help bridge the gap between remote communities and essential health services, demonstrating how technology could contribute to inclusive national development.
ZimSmart Villages Chief Medical Officer Admore Jokwiro said the programme would integrate digital innovation, healthcare professionals and community structures to make primary healthcare more accessible and responsive to local needs.
“ZimSmart Villages is bringing together technology, healthcare professionals and community-based structures to create a practical pathway from initial screening to clinical consultation, referral and follow-up,” said Jokwiro.
He said the kiosks would serve as entry points into the healthcare system by helping identify health concerns early and connecting patients to appropriate medical services.
The nurse-manned units are expected to provide initial health assessments, health education and telehealth consultations with clinicians, while patients requiring further medical attention will be referred to established health facilities.
Planned services include blood pressure and blood glucose screening, maternal and child healthcare, malaria services, HIV and tuberculosis support, as well as the early identification of conditions such as cancer and drug and substance abuse, subject to approved clinical protocols.
ZimSmart Villages will lead the technical and operational implementation of the programme, integrating mobile health services, telehealth consultations, community health workers, diagnostic support and referral pathways into a coordinated healthcare delivery model.
The approach is intended to complement existing health facilities rather than replace them, extending their reach to communities that often face barriers to accessing medical care.
The initiative builds on the broader technology-enabled healthcare vision championed by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and supports national efforts to promote equitable access to essential services.
The rollout comes as NetOne marks 30 years of connecting Zimbabweans, with the company seeking to demonstrate how telecommunications and digital innovation can contribute to public service delivery beyond traditional voice and data services.