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By Judith Matanire
When the Cimas mobile clinic rolled into Hwange’s Chinotimba township early this year, excitement filled the air. Mothers clutching their babies, miners on their off-shift and schoolchildren in uniforms queued eagerly not for a concert but for something far more vital a visit to the doctor.
For many in this part of Matabeleland North, seeing a dentist or nurse without traveling long distances was once a dream. But now, the clinic has come to them complete with examination rooms, dental chairs, and a dedicated team of health professionals ready to serve.
When Cimas Health Group first unveiled its mobile clinic at the 2024 Zimbabwe Agricultural Show few could have imagined how quickly it would evolve into a symbol of accessible healthcare.
Originally introduced to demonstrate innovation in healthcare delivery, the unit has since travelled across provinces from Mhondoro to Hwange, Victoria Falls and surrounding rural communities bringing health services to people who might otherwise go without.
“The mobile clinic has moved from being a showcase to being a lifeline,” said Cimas Group CEO, Vulindlela Ndlovu. “It reflects our commitment to ensuring that no community is too far to reach.”
The clinic is a fully equipped health facility on wheels offering general consultations, screenings, dental care, and health education.
According to Cimas Head of Marketing, Tatenda Madzikanda, the idea was born out of necessity:
“Many communities in Zimbabwe still struggle to access basic healthcare. Our goal was to design a clinic that could go to them equipped, staffed, and ready to treat.”
Since its rollout, the mobile clinic has attended outreach programmes, health fairs, and rural wellness campaigns, partnering with local clinics and international organisations to extend its reach.
One of the most impactful deployments came through the Cimas–Smilestar Dental Outreach in March 2025.
In partnership with Smilestar, a UK-based charity, Cimas sent its mobile clinic to Victoria Falls and Hwange, where over ten days, hundreds of residents received free dental treatments some for the very first time.
For Cimas dentist, Dr. Alan Gura, the experience was deeply rewarding:
“We met people who had lived with pain for years. The relief and gratitude they showed reminded us why we do what we do.”
Smilestar founder Dr. Mitesh Badiani echoed this sentiment, describing the Cimas collaboration as “transformational”, noting that their outreach had previously been limited by lack of equipment.
The Cimas mobile clinic changed that enabling the team to perform procedures previously only possible in fixed dental facilities.
Beyond dental work, the mobile clinic has been instrumental in wellness education, screenings, and preventive care in rural schools and farming communities.
From blood pressure checks and immunisations to maternal health consultations, the clinic’s multidisciplinary team ensures that communities receive both treatment and health education.
In Mhondoro, where Cimas ran one of its early pilot outreaches, villagers expressed appreciation for the convenience of the service. “Before this, we would spend an entire day just to get to the nearest clinic,” said one elderly resident. “Now the doctors come to us.”
The success of the mobile clinic marks a new era in Cimas’ broader mission to inspire healthier communities. It bridges the gap between rural and urban healthcare, not only by providing physical access but also by instilling trust and awareness in communities often left behind.
As the mobile unit continues to roll across Zimbabwe, its impact is measured not just in the number of patients treated but in the stories of restored health, saved journeys, and renewed hope.
What began as a bold innovation has now become a movement proving that when healthcare moves closer to the people transformation truly happens. Nhau/Indaba
