Itai Muzondo
CHIRUMHANZU – In a significant boost to rural healthcare, the newly launched Chirumhanzu OneHealth Telemedicine Virtual Hospital is set to transform medical service access for approximately 3 000 villagers in the area.
Launched by NetOne and Zim-Smart Village at Vudzi Primary School in Ward 3, villagers will no longer have to travel long distances for medical attention but can now consult healthcare professionals remotely saving time, money, and even lives.
Ward 3 Councillor Supren Chiuta expressed joy at the development, noting that villagers previously had to travel 15 kilometers to St Theresa Hospital at Hama, Mangoma, or Siyahukwe for treatment.
“People were traveling long distances for medical care, but that is now a thing of the past. “This facility is centrally located and will serve about 3 000 people from Wards 3, 8, 9, and 25. Even residents from Hama will benefit from it,” said Chiuta.
Local villager Elizabeth Kuzipa also welcomed the development, saying they had previously relied on ox-drawn carts to reach health facilities.
“Now, when we feel unwell, we can simply walk to the Telemedicine facility,” she said.
For young women like Constance Muzondo, the telemedicine facility brings maternal healthcare closer than ever.
“Antenatal services will now be more accessible, and since the clinic is within the schoolyard, injured children can receive treatment quickly, as teachers can act immediately,” she noted.
Village Head Cosmas Machaná praised the initiative saying it has brought healthcare to their children’s doorstep.
“We are one of the first wards in Chirumhanzu—and even the country—to receive such infrastructure,” he said.
NetOne’s Acting Group Chief Executive Officer, Learnmore Musunda, said Chirumhanzu Telemedicine Virtual Hospital is part of a broader national telemedicine rollout, bringing the total number of telemedicine booths across Zimbabwe to over 22.
“This virtual hospital system bridges the gap between healthcare providers and remote communities, ensuring quality medical care for all,” said Musunda.
He added that the telemedicine initiative aligns with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, which aims to achieve an upper-middle-income economy by utilizing digital solutions to address healthcare challenges.
“Through virtual hospitals, patients can connect with doctors remotely, receiving timely medical advice and care via digital platforms. This is particularly significant in rural areas, where specialized medical care has historically been limited,” he explained.
Chirumhanzu South legislator Barbra Rwodzi revealed that she pushed for the establishment of the facility after engaging with the NetOne team at Precabe Farm in Kwekwe, where a similar structure was being set up at the invitation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“This facility will improve lives by ensuring people receive medical attention in just a few minutes for a minimal fee,” Rwodzi stated.
She emphasized that President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 prioritizes improving healthcare access, enabling citizens to remain productive and support their families.
