Digital initiative to enhance health delivery

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke

Senior Health Reporter

LEVERAGING digital technology, Zimbabwe is poised to enhance access to efficient and effective healthcare for all citizens through Government’s ambitious digital health initiative.

Through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Government is rolling out Impilo, an Electronic Health Records (EHR) system which is meant to improve efficiency in the health sector by enhancing data collection, management, and patient care and communication between health practitioners and patients.

Speaking during a digital health stakeholders’ indaba held in Harare yesterday, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora said Impilo was not simply about integrating technology into health systems, but about using these tools to build a healthier, stronger Zimbabwe.

“Through these guiding frameworks, we are building Zimbabwe’s digital superhighway to health, a health system that anticipates and addresses challenges efficiently, the health system ensuring no one is left behind.”

Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said her Ministry was committed to providing efficient and effective services to the people of Zimbabwe.

“I am happy that as a country we are pushing towards digital health. His Excellency our President Dr ED Mnangagwa has said that as a country, we need to digitalise towards 2030,” she said.

Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Ambassador Frederick Shava stressed the need to foster integration of digital technology across faculties in the health services.

“Our mission is to develop a skilled and knowledgeable workforce through a higher educational science and technology development generally mandated by the head-to-face education 5.0,” he said.