The Zambian government has set an ambitious deadline of July 2026 to achieve full internet connectivity for all health facilities in Copperbelt Province, a move projected to dramatically improve efficiency and access to patient data across the region.
This is according to SMART Zambia Institute National Coordinator Percy Chinyama, who announced yesterday during the launch of the SmartCare Pro Hospital Edition pilot, the latest generation of the national Electronic Health Record system, at Ndola Teaching Hospital.
Government officials recently announced that since the inception of the web-based platform in 2023, over 2 000 health facilities have been connected to the system.
More than 14 000 health workers have been trained on the platform, with a 92% knowledge retention rate.
Chinyama stated that the system represents years of sustained effort and is set to transform healthcare delivery through digitisation .
“What has happened today is something we have been working towards for years. We are changing the game in the health sector
"I am committing that by July, you will see an announcement that all health facilities on the Copperbelt will have internet. This is key to ensuring that this system works effectively,” he said.
He added that the digital transformation will enhance patient care through real-time access to medical records and enable remote appointment scheduling.
Meanwhile, chief technology officer, Kasali Musenge, described the system as a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation agenda.
“This tool will not only make you efficient, it will make you accurate and help you deliver quality healthcare. It is a powerful system that connects patient information across the country,” she asserted.
Copperbelt permanent secretary, Lawrence Mwanza, described the launch as a significant in strengthening healthcare delivery.
Senior medical superintendent at Ndola Teaching Hospital, Justor Banda, said: “Today marks an important step in advancing Zambia’s national electronic health record as we commence this pilot, designed to meet the clinical and operational demands of a referral hospital."
He added that the initiative reflects years of collaboration among stakeholders and will strengthen healthcare delivery through improved data management and clinical efficiency.
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