A HEALTH start-up, Health ATM, is set to offer a testing facility for over 63 parameters in a one-stop arrangement that is expected to enhance diagnostic care for patients in Zimbabwe.
Speaking to NewsDay, Health ATM head of technology and innovation Nyasha Cecil Nyamupaguma said the intervention was a great tool for diagnostic care.
He said its presence would usher in convenience in the health sector, matching with current technological trends.
“It is powered by artificial intelligence (AI), FDA and CE approved medical devices and technology. Particularly for sub-Saharan Africa, it’s a great preventive care tool,” he said.
“Of the top 10 causes of death in Africa, the top six can be prevented or managed through early detection and the ATM tests all of those.”
The intervention is a novel technology, first of its kind in Africa, with the first installation done in the country spreading across the continent.
“Ideally, the message we wish to put across is that it’s a great tool to enhance access and affordability of primary diagnostic care, it also embraces modern technology through AI powered software and telemedicine. Our hope being to complement government efforts to make healthcare accessible to all,” he said.
A health practitioner also told NewsDay that the tool would aid in health service delivery.
“This is a great service in preventive care. As doctors we spent seven years being taught how to cure a patient but in years of practice you realise that for the good of the citizens, preventive is better than curative care,” he said.
“A patient in hospital is more costly than a person who is taking care of their health. Investment in health and wellness has more long-term benefits and is cheaper than having to pay medical bills after hospitalisation.”
The tool has added functions including instant health reports sent to clients via WhatsApp, email, built in telemedicine function, health record storage on Cloud, health mapping and ability for doctors to send prescriptions via email all in real time.
Health ATM recently exhibited at the Zimbabwe Investment Summit in South Africa.
The summit, co-hosted by the Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion ministry and Africa Chrome Fields, was attended by a number of ministers, legislators from Zimbabwe and industrialists from across the region.