“The distances are vast, and many struggle to reach testing facilities. I transport samples because I know my family, my friends, my community – anyone – may need this service one day.”
▲ Rosemary Sibanda
UNDP Zimbabwe Annual Report
2024 in Review

Delivering Hope

Rosemary Sibanda
Rider for the Integrated Sample Transportation in Shamva District
Delays in specimen transport hinder timely HIV test results for over 1 million Zimbabweans. We collaborated with the Ministry of Health and other partners to augment the Integrated  Specimen Transportation system, extending coverage to under-served districts, thereby accelerating results and enhancing patient care.
“Samples would take long to get to the testing hubs and back to clinicians. We had no way of tracking the samples, and some would be lost.”
Dr. Raiva Simbi
Director of Laboratory Services, Ministry of Health and Child Care
Every day, Rosemary traverses up to 120km to visit 4-5 health facilities. She is one of 280 motorcycle riders forming the backbone of the Integrated Sample Transportation (IST) system - a comprehensive network connecting rural health centres with district laboratories for medical sample transport and results delivery.
23
districts now implement the Integrated Sample Transportation system thanks to UNDP, complementing partner-led efforts that initially reached 40 of the country’s 63 districts.
94
motorbike riders and 8 cold-chain equipped vehicles providing streamlined medical specimen transportation in the 23 districts.
▲ From 3-6 months to 72 hours: Results turnaround time significantly improved
The streamlined medical specimen transport has dramatically reduced laboratory result turnaround times, enhancing both patient care and public health outcomes. This IST programme delivers timely, dependable lab results—essential components for effective disease management and patient treatment.
1 million
samples per year, exceeding the previous 400,000 average, achieved through successful collaboration with our IST programme partners.
Zimbabwe Government coat of arms
Global Fund logo
The IST is implemented by the Biomedical Research and Training Institute of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and is partially supported by UNDP through Global Fund grants