Digital services firm Cassava Smartech says it has acquired 100 000 Covid-19 test kits, which will be utilized particularly for free testing of critical target groups such as essential services staff and society’s vulnerable.

Corporates can access the tests, but at cost.

Said Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe CEO Eddie Chibi testing will be conducted by Maisha Testing, a business unit under Maisha.

“We are pleased to announce that we have imported 100 000 COVID-19 test kits to be used for testing our own staff, individuals and corporates across Zimbabwe,” he said.

Cassava Smartech, an Econet Wireless Zimbabwe spinoff, is working with the Higherlife Foundation run by the group’s founder Strive Masiyiwa.

Higherlife Foundation CEO Kennedy Mubaiwa said:

“We will be targeting vulnerable groups both in urban high-density and rural locations, as well as to beneficiaries already supported by our foundation, which includes those in retirement and children’s homes, as well as pregnant women’s shelters.”

Mobile testing centres will be set-up in communities for the citizen’s convenience.

Maisha has developed a franchise model, through which service providers approved by the Health and Child Care ministry will be issued with testing kits and personal protective equipment (PPE) for free, for them to conduct testing – subject to them fulfilling certain conditions, such as training and information management.

Last month, Cassava HealthTech launched the Maisha Medik digital platform.

The Maisha Medik digital platform helps connect patients, doctors, health insurance companies and health services institutions, all through a mobile App, which will allow for secure and easy information sharing, storing of health records, as well as scheduling of medical appointments to facilitate efficient health service delivery.