A growing network of telehealth centers is helping rural Zimbabweans access medical care they might not otherwise have been able to. Launched in 2024 by ZimSmart Villages alongside state telecom and postal partners, the initiative operates 28 centers across seven provinces. It has facilitated more than 28,000 consultations and around 25,000 diagnostic tests. Zimbabwe suffers from a chronic shortage of medical workers and equipment. As a result, rural dwellers would have to travel long distances to visit a hospital, which many say discourages them from seeking healthcare. However, telehealth centers bring healthcare much closer. Also, patients pay just $2 to $10 per visit, far less than private clinics. Although specialist care remains limited, the program has improved early detection and treatment of chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes and made healthcare more accessible to underserved communities across the country.
Al Jazeera