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20 nursing trainees busted for over fake O-Level certificates
2 hrs ago |
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Twenty nursing trainees have been dismissed from government and mission training institutions over the past five years after being found to have submitted forged Ordinary Level certificates, Health and Child Care Minister Dr Douglas Mombeshora revealed in Parliament.
Dr Mombeshora said the dismissals followed verification audits that uncovered cases of academic fraud, with 14 registered general nurses (RGNs) and six primary care nurses (PCNs) implicated. Mpilo Central Hospital and Chitungwiza Central Hospital recorded the highest number of RGN cases, with three each, while Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals reported two. The remaining cases were identified at Morgenster Mission Hospital, Gutu Mission Hospital, Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, Bonda Mission Hospital, St Theresa Mission Hospital, and Muvonde Mission Hospital, each recording one case.
Among the PCNs, Silveira Mission Hospital reported the most cases with three trainees submitting fraudulent certificates, while Murambinda Mission Hospital, Bonda Mission Hospital, and Sanyati Mission Hospital each recorded one case.
The minister explained that the recruitment process includes initial vetting, during which human resources officers check original certificates submitted by shortlisted candidates. However, he acknowledged that physical inspections alone may not detect sophisticated forgeries. Upon reporting for training, certificates are sent to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) for verification, with candidates paying a fee of US$7 per certificate.
Once a certificate is confirmed to be forged, the matter is treated as a criminal offence and referred to the police, with penalties determined by the courts. The school of nursing then conducts its own assessment and dismisses the trainee through the Ministry of Health and Child Care assessment committee. Dr Mombeshora's disclosure highlights ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of nursing training and protect public health.
Dr Mombeshora said the dismissals followed verification audits that uncovered cases of academic fraud, with 14 registered general nurses (RGNs) and six primary care nurses (PCNs) implicated. Mpilo Central Hospital and Chitungwiza Central Hospital recorded the highest number of RGN cases, with three each, while Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals reported two. The remaining cases were identified at Morgenster Mission Hospital, Gutu Mission Hospital, Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital, Bonda Mission Hospital, St Theresa Mission Hospital, and Muvonde Mission Hospital, each recording one case.
The minister explained that the recruitment process includes initial vetting, during which human resources officers check original certificates submitted by shortlisted candidates. However, he acknowledged that physical inspections alone may not detect sophisticated forgeries. Upon reporting for training, certificates are sent to the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) for verification, with candidates paying a fee of US$7 per certificate.
Once a certificate is confirmed to be forged, the matter is treated as a criminal offence and referred to the police, with penalties determined by the courts. The school of nursing then conducts its own assessment and dismisses the trainee through the Ministry of Health and Child Care assessment committee. Dr Mombeshora's disclosure highlights ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of nursing training and protect public health.
Source - Sunday Mail
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