Govt to Roll Out Digital Health Records, Double Workforce by 2030

By Own Correspondent

Bulawayo, Government is accelerating health sector digitalization and workforce expansion to strengthen service delivery across the country, an official said.

This was said by Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini while officiating at Mpilo Central Hospital nurses and midwives’ graduation and prize giving ceremony on Friday.

“Ministry of Health and Child Care is in the process of rolling out Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems across hospitals to improve efficiency, data management and patient care.

“In this modern era of ICT and digitalisation, one cannot afford to lag behind technology and its applications. The Artificial Intelligence era is here to stay. Very soon, we are going paperless in the Ministry of Health and Child Care,” the deputy minister said.

He highlighted that the ministry had already introduced telehealth programmes to enable remote patient monitoring and clinical mentorship, while Mpilo Hospital has benefited from a telemedicine facility pledged by President Emmerson Mnangagwa during this year’s Independence Day commemorations.

“These initiatives are part of a broader digital health transformation agenda meant to modernise our systems and improve healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved communities,” said Kwidini.

The deputy minister also outlined government’s ongoing health sector reforms, highlighting plans to double the current health workforce by 2030, or earlier by 2028 if targets are met.

“Central to these reforms is the impending National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, a pivotal policy designed to protect vulnerable populations and strengthen health financing, moving us closer to Universal Health Coverage,” he explained.

The deputy minister said these efforts are being complemented by the Presidential Hospital Renovation Programme, which began with Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals and has now reached Mpilo Central Hospital.

The programme also includes nationwide solar power installation at health facilities to ensure reliable electricity supply, Kwidini added.

He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to reviewing salary structures, improving working conditions and providing non-monetary benefits for healthcare workers, urging them to fulfil their contracts and build rewarding careers at home.

“We believe the opportunity to create lasting impact is right here in the country, in service to your nation,” the deputy minister said.

Kwidini implored the newly qualified nurses and midwives to uphold the principles of professionalism, compassion, and integrity as they enter the workforce.

“Nursing is more than a job; it is a vocation of skill and compassion. Treat every patient with equal respect and dignity, and reject corruption in all its forms,” he said.

Kwidini encouraged them to specialize in diverse fields such as pediatrics, oncology and critical care, and to pursue leadership and research opportunities that can shape future health policies and innovations.

“Think internationally, but act locally,” he said while emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the digital age.

The deputy minister commended Mpilo Hospital’s School of Nursing and Midwifery for their recent achievements of winning a gold and silver medal respectively in national competitions.

“These awards are evidence of excellence and dedication in nurse training,” said Kwidini.

Mpilo Central Hospital is one of the country`s major referral centres and continues to be a critical training ground for nurses and midwives in the southern region.

The graduation comes at a time when the health sector is undergoing a major transformation such as balancing human resource retention, digital modernization and infrastructure rehabilitation of all major health centres across the country.