By Johnson Siamachira
Harare, (New Ziana) – In a bustling clinic in New Marlborough, Harare, the air buzzes with anticipation.
Doctors rush to attend to patients, but a critical hurdle looms: Patience Tinarwo, a 35-year-old mother, awaits treatment. Her medical history, crucial for accurate diagnosis, remains locked in a digital system inaccessible to the very doctors who need it.
This scenario is all too common in Zimbabwe, where despite advances in healthcare technology, the promise of innovation is sometimes thwarted by systematic failures .
Tinarwo’s plight highlights a significant issue within Zimbabwe’s healthcare system. While Cimas Health Group has taken steps to innovate and digitise healthcare delivery, the gaps in data accessibility remain a barrier to quality care.
As Tinarwo sits anxiously in the waiting room, she represents countless patients who have encountered similar challenges—navigating a healthcare landscape that promises efficiency yet often delivers confusion.
Cimas Health Group’s CEO, Vulindlela Ndlovu, asserts that the company is dedicated to addressing these systemic challenges.
“Cimas Health Group, as a key player in healthcare, is committed to driving innovation and transforming healthcare services,” he says.
The organisation has rolled out paperless electronic clinics across its facilities, aiming to streamline patient management and enhance service delivery. But for patients like Tinarwo, the reality often falls short of the promise.
The introduction of electronic health records is one of Cimas’s hallmark innovations. These records are designed to improve coordination between providers and reduce errors. However, as Tinarwo discovered, when systems fail to integrate smoothly, medical professionals find themselves unable to access essential information.
“When I came in for my appointment, I thought my records would be ready,” Tinarwo laments. “Instead, the doctors were scrambling to find my information.”
As the healthcare landscape evolves, Zimbabwe grapples with significant challenges. The country has fewer than 1.1 medical facilities per 10,000 people, starkly below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of two facilities per 10,000. In Harare and Bulawayo, the situation is dire, with less than one facility available for every 10,000 residents. The shortage of skilled healthcare professionals exacerbates the issue, leading to delays in care and increased referrals to higher-level facilities.
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine, allowing patients to consult remotely with healthcare professionals.
“COVID-19 accelerated this process, with various digital channels introduced,” Ndlovu explains. “More than 80 percent of Cimas claim submissions are now electronic.”
While this shift has expanded access, the lack of robust digital infrastructure and data management hampers effective implementation, leaving patients like Tinarwo caught in the crossfire.
Experts emphasise that reliable data is crucial for enhancing healthcare systems. The World Bank has reported that many countries utilise less than five per cent of available health data to inform their health policies, leading to misinformed decisions. In Zimbabwe, for example, a lack of comprehensive data management stifles innovation, hindering potential improvements in patient care.
Addressing these systemic issues requires a concerted effort from both the government and private sector. Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera, emphasises the importance of digital health initiatives.
“The government is committed to providing efficient services for the people of Zimbabwe,” she says. “His Excellency, our President, has outlined a vision for digital health by 2030, and we must ensure we achieve this goal.”
The integration of digital technologies is not merely aspirational; it is essential for improving health services across Zimbabwe.
Higher and Tertiary Education Minister, Frederick Shava highlights this urgency. “Innovation is key in advancing Zimbabwe’s healthcare system,” he says, echoing the World Health Organization’s recommendations for integrating digital technologies.
Cimas Health Group’s initiatives, including the Healthathon—a competition aimed at fostering innovation among young entrepreneurs—demonstrate a commitment to solving pressing healthcare challenges.
Launched in 2024, Healthathon 2.0 encourages participants to develop solutions that ensure no patient is left behind, aiming to bridge the gap between technology and accessibility.
While Cimas Health Group strives for improvement, the story of Tinarwo serves as a reminder of the urgent need for an all-encompassing, cohesive approach to healthcare delivery in Zimbabwe. As she awaits treatment, one question lingers: when will the promise of digital health translate into tangible benefits for all patients?
As Zimbabwe forges ahead into the digital age, the road to accessible and equitable healthcare remains fraught with challenges. But with commitment from both public and private sectors, the vision of a transformed healthcare landscape is within reach.
The time has come for Zimbabwe to harness innovation and technology to ensure that every citizen has access to quality care—because in healthcare, every second counts.
New Ziana
