Zambia Targets Nationwide Health Connectivity as SmartCare 2.0 Pilot Goes Live in Ndola
The SmartCare 2.0 initiative is expected to enable future capabilities such as remote appointment scheduling and improved digital health services, supporting Zambia’s broader goal of building a connected and modern healthcare system.
SMART Zambia Institute , in collaboration with the Ministry of Health Zambia and IHM Southern Africa, has launched a pilot rollout of the SmartCare 2.0 electronic health record system at Ndola Teaching Hospital.
The launch, held in Ndola on April 27, 2026, marks a key milestone in Zambia’s ongoing digital health transformation agenda. Speaking at the inauguration of the SmartCare 2.0 Hospital Edition pilot, SMART Zambia National Coordinator Percy Chinyama emphasized that a healthy population is fundamental to national development, noting that economic growth cannot be sustained without strong healthcare systems.
Chinyama described SmartCare 2.0 as the result of years of development aimed at transforming healthcare delivery through digitisation. He added that the government is targeting full internet connectivity across all health facilities in the Copperbelt Province by July 2026, a step expected to improve efficiency, data access, and service delivery across the health system.
Government Chief Technology Officer Kasali Musenge highlighted that SmartCare 2.0 represents a major milestone in Zambia’s digital transformation efforts. She noted that the system will improve accuracy and efficiency in healthcare delivery by enabling real-time access to patient information across facilities, strengthening continuity of care nationwide.
According to Musenge, the platform is locally developed and owned, making it both sustainable and tailored to Zambia’s specific healthcare needs. She emphasized that this local ownership is key to addressing national challenges and ensuring long-term system effectiveness.
Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Lawrence Mwanza described the rollout as an important step in strengthening patient-centred healthcare services, while senior medical leadership at Ndola Teaching Hospital noted that the pilot reflects years of collaboration and will enhance clinical efficiency and data management.
The SmartCare 2.0 initiative is expected to enable future capabilities such as remote appointment scheduling and improved digital health services, supporting Zambia’s broader goal of building a connected and modern healthcare system.
