Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Telecommunications giant NetOne Cellular (Private) Limited has launched a groundbreaking Virtual Telemedicine Hospital in Ntunungwe, Matabeleland South, establishing one of Zimbabwe’s first fully digital rural healthcare hubs.
The initiative, unveiled on October 25 alongside the launch of the Ntunungwe Clinic, leverages advanced telecommunications infrastructure to deliver real-time medical consultations to patients in some of the country’s most remote communities.
NetOne Group chief executive officer Raphael Mushanawani said the project will allow residents to access doctors hundreds of kilometres away, receive immediate medical guidance, and obtain advanced diagnostics without leaving their village.
“Today, history is being written in Ntunungwe. We gather here not merely to cut a ribbon or turn the soil, but to open a new chapter in the story of rural healthcare in Zimbabwe — the birth of the Ntunungwe Virtual Telemedicine Hospital and the groundbreaking of the Ntunungwe Clinic.
“This is a day of faith and fulfilment — a day when hope takes human form, powered by technology, compassion, and partnership.
“For many years, communities like Ntunungwe have faced challenges in accessing healthcare. Mothers have travelled long distances with sick children. The elderly have endured pain without immediate help. But today, we stand together to say: help has come home,” Mushanawani said.
Mushanawani described the facility as “a hospital without walls; a medical bridge between Ntunungwe and the rest of Zimbabwe,” highlighting the potential of digital technology to redefine healthcare access.
The launch underscores NetOne’s strategic commitment to social impact through its OneHealth programme, which aims to integrate technology into public services.
“This Virtual Telemedicine Hospital is not just a booth — it is a hospital without walls; a medical bridge between Ntunungwe and the rest of Zimbabwe.
“This innovation transforms Ntunungwe into a centre of medical excellence, where technology and compassion unite to save lives.”
The initiative aligns closely with Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which seek to expand inclusion and drive socio-economic development.
Mushanawani framed the hospital as a model for public-private collaboration in service delivery. Local leaders and community elders were also present, reinforcing the initiative’s grassroots legitimacy.
For Ntunungwe residents, the project represents a transformative leap. Mothers and children, previously forced to travel long distances for care, now have immediate access to professional medical advice.
“From this day forward, no one in Ntunungwe should suffer in silence,” Mushanawani said.
Analysts say the virtual hospital sets a new benchmark for digital health in sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating how telecom infrastructure can be leveraged to deliver critical public services and drive socio-economic inclusion.
For NetOne, the project enhances its corporate profile, showing that commercial telecommunications networks can generate tangible social value while supporting national development objectives.
The Ntunungwe initiative could inspire similar public-private partnerships across the region, positioning the country as a potential hub for digital healthcare innovation and rural service delivery in Africa.
According to NetOne, the Ntunungwe Virtual Telemedicine Hospital stands as a proud example of that vision — a living testament to what can be achieved when government, business, and community work together for a shared purpose.
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