Michael Gwarisa
Cimas Health Group has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable and inclusive healthcare delivery following the successful conclusion of a two-week free dental outreach in Matabeleland North and South. The outreach, conducted in partnership with UK-based dental charity SmileStar and supported by local hospitality partners, provided essential oral healthcare services to underserved communities, reaching hundreds of patients across the two provinces.
Speaking on Thursday at the Matopo Mission Clinic in Matobo, Matabeleland South, Cimas Health Group CEO Mr Vuli Ndlovu emphasized the critical role of partnerships in delivering sustainable healthcare.
“Healthcare cannot be achieved in isolation. Strategic collaborations with local, government, and international partners enable us to extend services to communities that need them the most,” Mr Ndlovu said.
He highlighted that partnerships such as the one with SmileStar allow for a combination of global expertise, resources, and shared commitment to healthier communities, ultimately inspiring long-term improvements in public health.
The dental outreach is part of Cimas Health Group’s broader corporate social responsibility programme, which aims to improve access to healthcare while raising awareness about preventive practices. For five consecutive days, the medical teams moved between various locations, including Victoria Falls, Dete in Hwange, Ethandweni Children’s Home in Matobo, and finally Matopo Mission Clinic. Each location offered a full range of services, including tooth extractions, restorative treatments, and oral health education.
In Victoria Falls at Mkhosana Council Clinic, the outreach opened with 173 patients receiving care, including 310 extractions and 16 restorative treatments. On the following days, over 200 patients were treated daily, with hundreds of extractions and restorative procedures completed, demonstrating the high demand for oral healthcare services in the region. The team then moved to Miombo Safari Camp in Dete, Hwange, where they attended to 170 and 162 patients over two days, performing over 300 extractions each day and numerous restorative procedures.
The outreach continued at Ethandweni Children’s Home in Matobo, where children and community members benefited from more than 300 dental procedures over two days. The final phase at Matopo Mission Clinic saw 87 patients treated, with a combination of extractions and restorative care. Across all locations, the outreach provided both immediate treatment and education on oral hygiene, emphasizing the importance of preventive care in reducing long-term health risks.
Mr Ndlovu reflected on the significance of expanding the outreach to Matabeleland South for the first time, noting that it builds on the success of last year’s inaugural programme, which served more than 1,100 patients. This year, the SmileStar team grew to eight doctors and eight support staff, compared with seven each last year, further enhancing the capacity to meet the needs of local communities.
“By fusing the global expertise of UK-based doctors with local knowledge and support, we are providing essential oral healthcare services that are often overlooked yet are vital to overall health,” Mr Ndlovu said. He added that the initiative not only addresses immediate dental needs but also promotes equitable access to healthcare and supports national health priorities, ultimately strengthening Zimbabwe’s health ecosystem.
The SmileStar founder, Dr Mitesh Badiani, praised the partnership with Cimas Health Group for its role in promoting preventive dental care and improving health outcomes across the country. “Through this collaboration, we have been able to reach communities that would otherwise have limited access to oral healthcare. The mobile clinic provided by Cimas Health Group has been instrumental in ensuring that services are delivered efficiently and effectively,” he said.
Dr Badiani noted that the turnout exceeded expectations, particularly in Matabeleland North, where more than 1,000 patients received care during the outreach. The combined efforts of Cimas Health Group, SmileStar, and local partners, including Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Hwange Safari Lodge, Miombo Safari Camp, and Amalinda Safari Collection, ensured that the initiative was successful and met its objectives.
Mr Ndlovu reiterated that sustainable healthcare requires long-term commitment and collaboration. “Our goal is to inspire healthier communities by providing access to quality healthcare, raising awareness about preventive practices, and ensuring that healthcare reaches those who need it most. This outreach demonstrates that healthcare goes beyond our hospitals and clinics; it is about meeting people where they are,” he said.
He encouraged all Zimbabweans to prioritize oral health as part of overall wellbeing, highlighting the importance of regular dental check-ups and preventive care in reducing complications, lowering healthcare costs, and improving long-term health outcomes.
The success of the Cimas-SmileStar outreach underscores the impact of strategic partnerships in addressing healthcare disparities, particularly in underserved regions. By combining international expertise, local resources, and a shared commitment to public health, the initiative provided tangible benefits to hundreds of individuals while contributing to broader national health goals.
As Zimbabwe continues to work toward equitable and accessible healthcare, programmes like this dental outreach offer a blueprint for sustainable interventions that leverage collaboration, innovation, and community engagement. For Cimas Health Group, the initiative reaffirms its dedication to complementing government efforts, improving health outcomes, and expanding access to quality healthcare services across the country.
In conclusion, the Cimas-SmileStar dental outreach demonstrates how cross-border collaboration, local engagement, and strategic partnerships can successfully deliver healthcare to communities that need it most, creating a model for sustainable, inclusive, and impactful healthcare delivery in Zimbabwe.
