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BBL, breast enhancement salons under fire in Zimbabwe
6 hrs ago |
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The Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe (HPA) has issued a strong warning to the public over the rise of illegal facilities offering specialised medical and cosmetic procedures without proper authorisation.
In a statement, HPA Secretary-General Mrs Clotilda Chimbwanda said the authority has noted with concern that beauty salons, wellness spas and unregistered outlets are increasingly providing invasive treatments that should only be performed by qualified medical professionals.
"It has come to our attention that several beauty salons, wellness spas, and unregistered boutiques are offering services such as teeth whitening, intravenous vitamin infusions, chemical skin peels, and other invasive cosmetic treatments without the mandatory medical licenses or qualified personnel," she said.
The HPA warned that many of these procedures fall under highly specialised and risky cosmetic and medical interventions, including surgeries such as liposuction, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, facelifts, as well as non-surgical treatments like Botox injections, dermal fillers, microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and intravenous vitamin infusions.
Mrs Chimbwanda emphasised that such activities are regulated under the Health Professions Act, which strictly prohibits unregistered individuals or facilities from performing medical procedures.
She highlighted key provisions of the law, noting that Section 121 forbids any person from practising as a health professional without registration, while Section 99 prohibits operating a health institution without HPA approval. Section 126 further criminalises impersonating a licensed practitioner or performing restricted medical duties without authorisation.
The HPA also warned of serious health risks associated with undergoing procedures in unregulated environments, including the potential spread of blood-borne diseases due to poor infection control, as well as the inability to handle medical emergencies such as allergic reactions or complications.
"When medical procedures are carried out in unregulated spaces, the risks to the patient are severe," Mrs Chimbwanda said.
She added that the authority plays a critical role in safeguarding the public by ensuring that only qualified professionals operate in properly equipped and regulated facilities.
The HPA urged members of the public to verify credentials before undergoing any procedure. Individuals are advised to check for a valid HPA Registration Certificate displayed at the facility and to request a current practising certificate from the relevant professional council.
Citizens have also been encouraged to report suspicious or unregistered operations to the authority to help curb illegal practices and protect public health.
The warning comes amid growing concern over the expansion of unregulated cosmetic services, as authorities move to tighten enforcement and protect patients from potentially harmful and unlawful medical practices.
In a statement, HPA Secretary-General Mrs Clotilda Chimbwanda said the authority has noted with concern that beauty salons, wellness spas and unregistered outlets are increasingly providing invasive treatments that should only be performed by qualified medical professionals.
"It has come to our attention that several beauty salons, wellness spas, and unregistered boutiques are offering services such as teeth whitening, intravenous vitamin infusions, chemical skin peels, and other invasive cosmetic treatments without the mandatory medical licenses or qualified personnel," she said.
The HPA warned that many of these procedures fall under highly specialised and risky cosmetic and medical interventions, including surgeries such as liposuction, breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, facelifts, as well as non-surgical treatments like Botox injections, dermal fillers, microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and intravenous vitamin infusions.
Mrs Chimbwanda emphasised that such activities are regulated under the Health Professions Act, which strictly prohibits unregistered individuals or facilities from performing medical procedures.
She highlighted key provisions of the law, noting that Section 121 forbids any person from practising as a health professional without registration, while Section 99 prohibits operating a health institution without HPA approval. Section 126 further criminalises impersonating a licensed practitioner or performing restricted medical duties without authorisation.
"When medical procedures are carried out in unregulated spaces, the risks to the patient are severe," Mrs Chimbwanda said.
She added that the authority plays a critical role in safeguarding the public by ensuring that only qualified professionals operate in properly equipped and regulated facilities.
The HPA urged members of the public to verify credentials before undergoing any procedure. Individuals are advised to check for a valid HPA Registration Certificate displayed at the facility and to request a current practising certificate from the relevant professional council.
Citizens have also been encouraged to report suspicious or unregistered operations to the authority to help curb illegal practices and protect public health.
The warning comes amid growing concern over the expansion of unregulated cosmetic services, as authorities move to tighten enforcement and protect patients from potentially harmful and unlawful medical practices.
Source - Health Times
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