News / National
Govt shuts down unregistered health facilities
07 Dec 2024 at 13:16hrs | Views
The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPA) shut down 22 unregistered health facilities in 2023 as part of its efforts to combat unlicensed medical practices, ensuring patient safety and maintaining professional standards in the healthcare sector.
The crackdown followed investigations revealing that some facilities had failed to renew their licenses, while others were operating without the necessary statutory approval.
Speaking at the HPA's annual congress, Secretary General Mrs. Clotilda Chimbwanda expressed concern over the increasing number of unregistered facilities and unqualified individuals posing as health professionals.
"We have come across so many bogus practices and practitioners during our inspections. In one case, a dental student who dropped out of school opened a practice and was treating patients. We've also seen cases where institutions are run by nurse aides, with no qualified practitioners on-site, and others where individuals who did not complete their medical degrees started practicing unlawfully," she said.
The HPA's actions highlight the significant risks posed by unregistered health facilities, including compromised patient care and safety. The rise in unscrupulous practices undermines the integrity of Zimbabwe's healthcare system and erodes public trust.
Mrs. Chimbwanda emphasized the importance of vigilance and called for stricter regulations to prevent unqualified individuals from exploiting loopholes to practice unlawfully.
The HPA conducts regular inspections and enforces compliance with licensing requirements to ensure that health facilities meet professional standards. The authority urged citizens to verify the legitimacy of healthcare providers before seeking medical services.
"Our mandate is to protect the public and ensure that all health facilities operate within the law. We will continue our inspections and will not hesitate to take action against those flouting the rules," said Mrs. Chimbwanda.
The closure of the 22 facilities marks a significant step in the HPA's ongoing efforts to uphold the quality and safety of healthcare in Zimbabwe, with more inspections planned to root out illegal practices.
The crackdown followed investigations revealing that some facilities had failed to renew their licenses, while others were operating without the necessary statutory approval.
Speaking at the HPA's annual congress, Secretary General Mrs. Clotilda Chimbwanda expressed concern over the increasing number of unregistered facilities and unqualified individuals posing as health professionals.
"We have come across so many bogus practices and practitioners during our inspections. In one case, a dental student who dropped out of school opened a practice and was treating patients. We've also seen cases where institutions are run by nurse aides, with no qualified practitioners on-site, and others where individuals who did not complete their medical degrees started practicing unlawfully," she said.
The HPA's actions highlight the significant risks posed by unregistered health facilities, including compromised patient care and safety. The rise in unscrupulous practices undermines the integrity of Zimbabwe's healthcare system and erodes public trust.
Mrs. Chimbwanda emphasized the importance of vigilance and called for stricter regulations to prevent unqualified individuals from exploiting loopholes to practice unlawfully.
The HPA conducts regular inspections and enforces compliance with licensing requirements to ensure that health facilities meet professional standards. The authority urged citizens to verify the legitimacy of healthcare providers before seeking medical services.
"Our mandate is to protect the public and ensure that all health facilities operate within the law. We will continue our inspections and will not hesitate to take action against those flouting the rules," said Mrs. Chimbwanda.
The closure of the 22 facilities marks a significant step in the HPA's ongoing efforts to uphold the quality and safety of healthcare in Zimbabwe, with more inspections planned to root out illegal practices.
Source - The Herald
