Shiwang’andu, June 12, 2025, ZANIS —Shiwang’andu Town Council in Muchinga Province has procured Nine starlink internet kit worth K160,000 to improve internet connectivity.

Town Council Secretary Isaac Mwale disclosed the development to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) saying the funding to procure starlink was sourced from the 2024 Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He explained this is in the quest to adhere to the Presidential directive of digitalising the health care system to support frontline workers in remote areas.

Mr. Mwale explained that seven health facilities are targeted for connection which includes Kalalantekwe Mini Hospital and the District Health Office.

He said the Information Technologists from Council have so far installed starlink on five remote health facilities namely Mayembe Kantimba, Mungulube, Kabanda and Chinkumba.

“In the digital era, we don’t need to refer all patients to the Hospitals but simply engage the specialist online and get advice unless in critical situations when referrals should be done,” Mr Mwale said.

The CS explained that mobile networks have been a challenge in remote areas but with the connection of starlink, health staff will be able to communicate using watsap calls, video calls to attend to patients and attend virtual meetings without leaving the stations.

He added that the council has been in touch with virtual doctors National coordinating office which is waiting for the signal so that all the nine health facilities can be added on their platform and be able to interact with doctors both local and abroad for guidance through video conference facilitation.

On the sustainability plan, Mr. Mwale disclosed that all the health facilities will be linked to Smart Zambia who will take up the responsibility of maintenance and bills saying facilities are part of government institutions.

Meanwhile, Shiwang’andu District Constituency Development Fund Committee (CDFC) Chairperson Mark Harvey said the achievement is in line with the Presidential directive of digitising the Health system so that doctors can have interface with other Doctors globally.

Mr. Harvey explained that his committee has also ensured that every health facility that was being constructed should have essential equipment and full kit for the Labour ward, with solar power and mechanized water system.

He disclosed that Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has been approached to assess the connection of health facilities and schools to the National grid while solar power be used as alternative power source so that there is no interruption of internet in the health centres.

Smart Zambia Regional Coordinator, Francis Hachoombwa said plans are underway to accommodate all the seven health facilities on the Smart Zambia budget adding that his office is working hand in hand with the local authority in Shiwang’andu after which a report will be submitted to the head office.

Mr Hachoombwa said Shiwang’andu is the first district in the country to fully digitalised the health care system adding that a lot of lessons will be learnt and will inspire other districts to go digital.

He appealed to other districts to learn from Shiwang’andu how they have managed to digitalise the health care system for frontline health facilities and hoped that Chinsali General Hospital will soon be added to the platform.

And Virtual Doctors Organisation Zambia Chapter says the organisation is just waiting for formal approval from Smart Zambia to bundle all seven health facilities on their platform.

Operations manager, Stella Chilembo said the organisation has worked well with level one and two hospitals in Lusaka saying the programme is being extended to rural districts where critical cases such as accidents, gynaecology complications and paediatric are rampant which may not need to be referred but can be managed at a facility with guidance from senior medical staff using online platform.

She explained that Doctors abroad are willing to offer support to health care and case management to the front liners in remote areas to decongest the referral hospitals and costs.