Illegal Harare cosmetic clinics shut down

The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe) has closed several unregistered health and cosmetic facilities operating in Harare's affluent suburbs, as authorities intensify a crackdown on illegal medical and aesthetic procedures.

The enforcement operation targeted boutique clinics, beauty parlours and wellness spas accused of offering specialised treatments without proper licensing, qualified personnel or regulatory approval.

HPA secretary-general Clotilda Chimbwanda confirmed the closures, saying the inspections were part of routine compliance checks aimed at protecting the public from unsafe medical practices.

She said any facility operating without registration is considered illegal and is subject to immediate closure, adding that the authority has stepped up inspections following concerns over the rapid growth of unregulated cosmetic services.

Authorities say many of the affected establishments were offering procedures such as teeth whitening, chemical skin peels and intravenous vitamin drips, often performed by unqualified individuals in non-clinical environments.

Chimbwanda warned that such practices expose clients to serious health risks, including infections, allergic reactions and other medical emergencies, particularly where facilities lack proper equipment and emergency response capacity.

She cited provisions of the Health Professions Act, which prohibit unregistered practitioners from performing medical procedures or operating health institutions without approval from the regulator.

The HPA also said it shut down more than 40 illegal facilities last year and vowed to continue enforcement actions to ensure compliance across the sector.

The authority has urged members of the public to verify the registration status of both clinics and practitioners before undergoing any cosmetic or medical treatment, stressing that only qualified professionals in registered facilities are permitted to offer such services.

Officials say the crackdown will continue as part of broader efforts to safeguard public health and enforce professional standards in Zimbabwe's expanding cosmetic and wellness industry.