Zimsmart Villages, a local telehealth service provider, has partnered with US-based Samp Group to launch The Samp Zimsmart Villages Initiative.
This groundbreaking collaboration aims to revolutionize healthcare delivery in Zimbabwe through telehealth services .
The partnership will establish 150 telehealth kiosks and 750 booths over two years, bridging the gap created by Zimbabwe’s doctor shortage. Currently, the country has a staggering 1 doctor per 5,000 people, significantly lower than Australia’s 17 doctors per 5,000 people . This disparity translates to a substantial difference in life expectancy, with Zimbabweans living 29 years less than Australians .
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Samp Group’s Chairman, Mr. Ritesh Patel, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, citing the potential to bring cutting-edge equipment and medication from the US and India. This collaboration will make healthcare more accessible and affordable for Zimbabweans, especially those in rural areas .
Zimpost’s PostMaster General, Mr. Maxwell Chitendeni, emphasized the importance of digitizing services, including e-health, to reach rural populations. The partnership enables patients to interact with medical practitioners and specialists without visiting central hospitals .
Zimsmart’s co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Admore Jokwiro, highlighted the significance of telehealth in addressing Zimbabwe’s healthcare challenges. With 178 post offices and counting, Zimsmart has already installed 10 telehealth kiosks, providing access to remote healthcare services .
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SOURCE: Health Times
