By 
Buy Ross Moyo
State-owned mobile operator NetOne has launched a nationwide medical outreach programme targeting 90,000 households across 30 districts as part of its 30th anniversary activities.
The programme, being implemented in partnership with ZimSmart Villages, is expected to reach approximately 3,000 households per district. The Mutasa District outreach in Manicaland was the latest rollout.
The outreach was attended by Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Minister of State for Manicaland Province Hon. Misheck Mugadza.
Muchinguri-Kashiri said initiatives that bring health services closer to rural communities complement national development priorities under Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
“As we pursue the aspirations of Vision 2030 and implement the National Development Strategy 2, we must continue to harness innovation, technology and partnerships to improve the quality of life of our people. Healthcare is fundamental to development,” she said.
The initiative is anchored on NetOne’s Health and Care pillar under its NetOne @30 programme. The company said it aims to translate connectivity into access to essential services, including healthcare.
Speaking on behalf of the company, Public Relations Manager Ernest Magadzire said the programme seeks to demonstrate broader use of connectivity beyond communication.
“For 30 years, NetOne has connected Zimbabweans. As we celebrate this milestone, we want connectivity to mean more than communication. We want it to connect people to healthcare, information, opportunity and essential services,” Magadzire said.
ZimSmart Villages Chief Operations Officer Tawanda Njerere said the partnership is exploring telemedicine and digital health solutions to address geographical barriers to healthcare access in rural areas.
“Technology only becomes meaningful when it solves a real problem for people. Through our collaboration with NetOne, we are using connectivity as a bridge between rural communities and healthcare professionals,” Njerere said.
Organisers said the programme contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Rural access to healthcare remains a challenge in Manicaland, where communities often travel long distances to the nearest clinic. Government data shows that while Zimbabwe has made progress in primary healthcare coverage, distance and staffing remain barriers in remote districts like Mutasa.
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