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A Leadership in Health Technology Symposium held in Harare today (29 March 2025 ), organized by Siza Mukwedini and Kuda Makuzwa of Matamba Film Labs was meant to improve health outcomes for Zimbabwe.
In her remarks at the workshop, Pamela Tremont, the United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, commended the support of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the close collaboration of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Zimbabwe Medical Association, and the Zimbabwe Digital Health Society in making the symposium a reality.
She highlighted that the United States has long been at the forefront of advancing healthcare through technology and reiterated that the partnership with Zimbabwe is a testament to that commitment.
Through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief or PEPFAR and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the US has worked closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to integrate digital innovations into their work.
“We have invested over $26 million in building the Impilo electronic health record system, a groundbreaking platform that has revolutionized patient care in Zimbabwe. Health care workers can now retrieve medical records in a fraction of the time it took them before. This means lower wait times for patients and access to reliable – sometimes lifesaving – data. The electronic health record system has set a new standard for healthcare delivery.
“America’s efforts don’t end there. Investments in laboratory technologies have transformed care for people living with HIV. With the introduction of new viral load testing tools, Zimbabwe can now conduct over a million tests annually, ensuring early intervention for patients. Additionally, the Laboratory Information Management System has streamlined processes, enabling swift transmission of results to healthcare providers to improve patient care,” Ambassador Tremont said.
The US Envoy said such advancements have also fortified Zimbabwe’s healthcare system against public health challenges like COVID-19. Integrating infection prevention and control measures into healthcare facilities laid the foundation for a more resilient and adaptable health infrastructure.
Ambassador Tremont said Zimbabwe needs to continue its modernization efforts for healthcare systems to prevent diseases, monitor outbreaks, and respond effectively to future threats.
She hailed the participants, speakers, and sponsors of the symposium for their dedication to advancing health through technology as both a hopeful goal and a call to action.
In healthcare, the promise of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence is especially transformative. From early disease detection to personalized treatments, these innovations are breaking barriers that once seemed insurmountable. Digital health platforms, AI-driven diagnostics, and cutting-edge therapies are reshaping the way we deliver and access care.
The US Envoy said the real impact of innovation lies in collaboration.
“Partnerships with U.S. universities and research institutions offer immense potential to accelerate the development of new technologies. These collaborations can not only foster groundbreaking, global solutions but also build local expertise through training programs and fellowships. For example, Dr. Charles Chiedza Maponga leads international collaboration between Buffalo University in New York and the University of Zimbabwe through the International Pharmacotherapy Education and Research Initiative. Together, we can create precision medicine, advance telehealth solutions, and build next-generation medical devices that empower healthcare providers and patients alike.
“I am particularly proud of alumni from our exchange programs who are making significant strides in digital health. People like Dr. Admore Jokwiro and Marlon Ralph Nyakabau, present with us today, are shining examples of the impact of these partnerships. Dr. Jokwiro is a 2019 Hubert Humphrey Exchange Fellow who today leads ZimSmart Villages, which provides telehealth services through digital platforms and runs programs to improve access in underserved areas in Manicaland. Dr. Nyakabau is a Mandela Washington Fellowship alumnus who’s focused on how startups and entrepreneurship can contribute to digital health solutions.”
The Ambassador alluded to a shared vision of a future where diseases are detected early, treated effectively, and managed with dignity. Embracing innovation ensures better outcomes for patients while supporting the dedicated healthcare providers who care for them.
She encouraged researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders alike—to engage openly. The Trump Administration has made clear its focus on the power of business to fuel innovation and design solutions. That means building teams that draw on the expertise of each member – whether medical, policy, or the private sector. There was a call to harness innovation to build a healthier and more prosperous future.
In attendance was Dr. Mohamed Aburawi, a visiting MIT Fellow who traveled all the way from Boston in the United States to join the symposium.
Dr. Aburawi is the founder of Atarona Ventures, which invests in the transformative power of global health equity, biotech, education, and renewable energy.
His AI-powered digital health platform, Speetar, has revolutionized healthcare delivery in Africa and the Middle East. It now connects over 5,000 global providers and serves millions of beneficiaries.
“Both our exchange alumna Siza Mukwedini – who was the driving force behind this symposium – and Dr. Aburawi are fellows of the Echoing Green Fellowship Program, a U.S.-based initiative to empower visionary leaders. When they met in Ghana in 2024, Siza was inspired by Dr. Aburawi’s journey in integrating technology in health and his work in the United States.,” Ambassador Tremont added.
