In a bold move to address Zimbabwe’s healthcare affordability crisis, telecommunications provider NetOne has launched a $1-per-month healthcare plan called OneHealth. Positioned as potentially the most budget-friendly medical aid plan in the country, OneHealth offers essential healthcare access at a price many Zimbabweans can afford—a mere dollar, or about the cost of a loaf of bread.
This plan arrives in a country where only about 7% of the population currently has medical insurance, reflecting a significant gap in affordable healthcare options. For that $1 monthly fee, OneHealth covers a basic medical package, including one general practitioner (GP) visit and up to $30 in medication per month, though it excludes chronic medications. Additionally, a three-month waiting period applies, a standard feature for similar healthcare plans in Zimbabwe. Families can also enroll dependents for an extra dollar per person, making a family plan for five members just $5 a month.
With inflation and currency instability continuing to drive up the cost of essential goods and services in Zimbabwe, healthcare remains out of reach for many. Wages have struggled to keep pace with soaring prices, forcing middle-income families to forego basic coverage or turn to costly private options. OneHealth is, therefore, being seen as a potential lifeline—a minimal safety net that offers peace of mind to Zimbabweans who otherwise might have no coverage at all.
The plan is also easy to access for NetOne users, who can sign up by dialing *501# on their mobile phones. After registration, members can access an app or even a WhatsApp bot to locate nearby GPs and pharmacies that accept OneHealth, though a publicly available provider list could help potential subscribers better understand the plan’s coverage network.
With the right marketing push, OneHealth could potentially attract a substantial share of NetOne’s user base, currently around 23.7% of the Zimbabwean telecom market, and even lure customers from rival operators. As NetOne seeks to expand its reach, OneHealth may offer an incentive for Zimbabweans without health coverage to consider switching providers. This initiative also places NetOne in closer competition with Econet Wireless, the country’s leading telecom operator with a 56.8% market share, and Telecel, which holds 19.5%.
As NetOne steps into the healthcare space with this low-cost solution, OneHealth could offer an innovative answer to Zimbabwe’s healthcare challenges, especially for those seeking affordable and accessible medical coverage amidst an economic crisis.
