Innovation key to closing Zimbabwe’s healthcare gaps

Gibson Mhaka [email protected]

INNOVATION and technology could play a critical role in addressing some of the challenges confronting Zimbabwe’s health sector, particularly access to healthcare, affordability, fragmented data systems and delays in service delivery.

As the country seeks to modernise healthcare and improve access to essential services, there is growing scope for digital solutions to bridge gaps between patients, healthcare providers and insurers, especially in underserved communities.

It is against this background that Cimas Health Group is using its Healthathon initiative to identify technology-based solutions to challenges affecting healthcare delivery.

The third edition of the Healthathon, being held under the theme “Reimagining Healthcare Through Disruptive Innovation”, attracted 372 submissions from innovators, students, researchers, start-ups and technology enthusiasts from across Zimbabwe.

Cimas Health Group chief information officer Mr Foster Akaketwa said the response showed the depth of talent and growing interest in using technology to address healthcare challenges.

“This year’s Cimas Healthathon 3.0 has once again provided a national platform for innovators to develop technology-driven solutions to some of Zimbabwe’s most pressing healthcare challenges,” he said.

“We received impressive 372 submissions, which is an increase from last year, and this demonstrates that there is both a strong appetite and considerable capability among Zimbabwean innovators to contribute to solving healthcare challenges.”

Mr Akaketwa said the challenges being tackled reflected some of the major weaknesses in the healthcare system.

“The challenge seeks to encourage solutions to some of the complex and evolving issues affecting healthcare delivery, including affordability constraints, limited access to services, fragmented data systems, delays in service delivery, low engagement with preventive healthcare, operational inefficiencies and rising healthcare costs,” he said.

These challenges have made innovation increasingly important in efforts to improve the quality, efficiency and reach of healthcare services.

Technology, for instance, has the potential to make services more accessible to people in remote areas, improve the management and sharing of health information, and reduce delays in accessing care.

It can also support greater financial inclusion by making healthcare and insurance services easier to access through digital platforms, particularly for people who face barriers to traditional service delivery systems.

However, innovation in healthcare cannot simply be about introducing new technology.

Solutions must respond to real problems and be practical enough to work within the country’s existing healthcare and economic environment.

Mr Akaketwa said the solutions submitted this year demonstrated the broad range of problems innovators were attempting to solve.

“The solutions we have seen this year have been particularly encouraging because of their diversity.

“They cover areas ranging from diagnostics and preventive healthcare to artificial intelligence, rural healthcare, rehabilitation, data protection and emergency response,” he said.

The initial 372 submissions were narrowed down to the Top 20, before 15 teams were selected for mentorship. Ten teams eventually secured places in the grand finale.

Mr Akaketwa said the mentorship process was important in ensuring that ideas were tested against practical healthcare requirements.

“Each of the Top 15 teams was assigned a mentor.

“The mentors worked with the teams to challenge their assumptions, strengthen their research, understand healthcare workflows, refine their solutions and think through what would be required to take those solutions into implementation,” he said.

The finalists are expected to present their solutions to a judging panel comprising health, technology and industry experts.

Mr Akaketwa said the initiative was intended to give promising ideas an opportunity to progress beyond the competition.

“Our Healthathon is about identifying innovations that have the potential to create real healthcare impact.

“So, beyond the monetary prizes, participants stand to gain something even more valuable, the opportunity to have their innovations considered for piloting with Cimas Health Group and to contribute to shaping the future of healthcare in Zimbabwe,” he said.

The emphasis on practical application is significant because innovation in healthcare only delivers lasting value when it improves the experience and outcomes of patients.

Mr Akaketwa said the success of the initiative should ultimately be judged by its impact on people rather than the number of entries or winners produced.

“For us, the real success of Healthathon will be when an idea developed through this challenge moves beyond the competition and begins making a measurable difference in people’s lives.

“That is ultimately what innovation should be about, and it is closely aligned with our purpose of inspiring healthier communities,” he said.