OneMoney boosts rural healthcare access in Chiweshe with Mudhumeni WeHutano bicycles

OneMoney boosts rural healthcare access in Chiweshe with Mudhumeni WeHutano bicycles

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Rural health workers in Kakora Village, Chiweshe, are set to reach more patients at home after NetOne’s mobile money platform, OneMoney, partnered with ZimSmart Villages to support the Mudhumeni WeHutano initiative based at Maria Theresa Hospital.

The partners handed over bicycles along with blood pressure machines and glucometers, equipment expected to improve screening and monitoring of chronic non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes in communities where the nearest clinic can be hours away on foot.

Health advocates say distance and transport costs have been a major barrier for older people, expectant mothers and patients living with long-term conditions, contributing to late presentation at health facilities when illnesses have already worsened. The new bicycles are intended to help village health workers travel between scattered households while carrying basic diagnostic tools.

Dr Jokwiro of ZimSmart Villages said the approach aims to take services to residents rather than requiring vulnerable patients to make difficult journeys. “Healthcare should never be determined by where someone lives,” he said.

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NetOne spokesperson Ernest Magadzire said the support reflects an effort to link connectivity with practical community benefits. “At NetOne, we believe connectivity must translate into meaningful impact,” Magadzire said, adding that the partnership also helps extend digital financial services to rural households through OneMoney.

The initiative is being promoted under the patronage of Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and is positioned within President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 framework, which seeks to improve service delivery while focusing on inclusive development.

Village Head Kakora said the equipment could ease longstanding challenges for residents who previously travelled long distances for routine checks. “For many years our people have travelled long distances simply to have their blood pressure or sugar levels checked,” he said. He added that some delayed treatment after failing to afford transport, and said the bicycles and medical tools would help health workers monitor patients more regularly, including the elderly.

Community health experts say regular blood pressure and glucose monitoring, early referrals and ongoing health education can reduce complications linked to hypertension and diabetes, conditions that increasingly affect families in rural Zimbabwe.

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