Munyaradzi Blessing Doma

Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe, has significantly escalated its regulatory efforts, leading to the closure of 35 illegal health institutions nationwide across the country.  

The parastatal, operating under the Ministry of Health and Child Care, reported that this firm action is part of commitment to safeguarding public health and weeding out unscrupulous operators and bogus practitioners from the healthcare sector.

It was further added that HPA's core mandate is crucial to maintaining the integrity of Zimbabwe's healthcare system: to regulate, register, and inspect all health institutions nationwide.  

“The recent blitz targeted facilities found to be in gross violation of health standards and legal requirements.  

“Violations leading to the closures included a critical lack of valid operating licenses and, in some alarming instances, facilities being operated by non-qualified personnel masquerading as healthcare professionals.

"These figures are not just statistics; they represent a successful effort to remove significant risks from our communities," stated the HPA Secretary General Mrs Clotilda Chimbwanda.  

Chimbwanda added : “unregistered facilities and bogus practitioners pose an existential threat to patient safety. 

“They operate without oversight, often using substandard equipment and administering inappropriate, sometimes dangerous, treatment.  

“Our efforts are essential to not only shut these places down but also to bring the individuals responsible to justice”.  

The Authority further issued a stern warning and an urgent appeal to the general public to exercise extreme caution before seeking medical advice or treatment, emphasizing that the onus is on the individual to ensure the facility they visit is legitimate.

"We cannot overstate the importance of public vigilance. Before you entrust your health, or the health of a loved one, to any institution, you must verify its legal standing," Chimbwanda urged.

The recent crackdown marks the beginning of an intensified, routine inspection drive that will continue across all provinces and the HPA confirmed that it is pursuing to ensure a sustained presence and thorough investigation in both urban and rural areas.

"This is not a temporary campaign; it is a permanent commitment to regulatory excellence.

"Our goal is to ensure that every single health facility operating in Zimbabwe meets the rigorous legal, safety, and operational standards required to protect our citizens. The inspections will not cease until this objective is achieved, and our public can have full confidence in the licensed healthcare providers throughout the nation."

Member of the community have been called to partner in this crucial effort by immediately reporting any suspicious or unlicensed health operations to the HPA offices or their nearest Zimbabwe Republic Police station.  

It was added that protecting the nation's health is a collective responsibility.

How to Verify Legitimate Healthcare Providers:

1. Institution Status: All legally operating health institutions must prominently display a valid HPA operating license. This document confirms their registration and compliance with the Ministry of Health and Childcare's standards.

2. Practitioner Status: Any individual providing consultation or treatment must possess a current and valid practising certificate from the appropriate Health Professions Council. This is proof of their professional registration, qualification, and fitness to practice in Zimbabwe.