Government warns of increase in bogus medical practitioners

THE Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe (HPAZ) has warned the country of an increase in bogus medical practitioners whose lack of professional credentials pose a serious threat to public health and safety.

This follows recent reports that 44 fake doctors and tutors were arrested at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare since last year.
In a statement on Monday, the HPAZ, a statutory body mandated to protect public health, warned of bogus doctors whose operations threaten public health.

“The rise of individuals posing as qualified medical professionals, despite lacking the necessary credentials and expertise, poses serious threats to public health and safety,” said the regulator.

“Regardless of their motivations, the presence of bogus medical practitioners represents a grave threat to public health and undermines the integrity of the Zimbabwean healthcare system.

“The risks associated with seeking medical treatment from bogus practitioners are manifold and can have devastating consequences for patients.”
Without proper training and knowledge, the HPAZ said bogus practitioners may misdiagnose conditions, prescribe inappropriate medications, or perform procedures that pose serious risks to the health and well-being of their patients.

It said without any institution playing an oversight role on them, the public may not get any recourse in the event of malpractice or harm caused by the actions of bogus practitioners.

The authority is already working in collaboration with law enforcement agents to weed out some of the bogus practitioners.
“In order to combat the proliferation of bogus practitioners and protect the public from harm, concerted efforts are being made at institutional and regulatory levels,” it said.

“Healthcare regulatory bodies and law enforcement agencies are investigating and prosecuting individuals engaged in fraudulent medical practices.”
Thorough inspections among other related regulatory procedures will also be conducted to ensure that bogus practitioners are brought to account.
HPAZ said the public should ensure that they seek health care from providers who display operational licences.

“One of the key indicators of a bogus practitioner is the lack of verifiable credentials and licensure. Patients should always verify the qualifications and professional standing of their healthcare providers, particularly when seeking services from unfamiliar medical practitioners,” HPAZ said.

“Additionally, the use of unproven or dubious treatment modalities, exaggerated claims of efficacy and pressure tactics to solicit payment for services should serve as warning signs for individuals seeking medical care.”
HPAZ has urged patients to verify the licences of some of the health providers to assess if they were properly regulated.

“These individuals may operate within various healthcare settings, including private clinics, alternative medicine practices, online platforms and even from their vehicles, where they offer treatments and advice to unsuspecting patients,” reads the statement.

“It is important to recognise that bogus medical practitioners can come from diverse backgrounds and may employ sophisticated tactics to deceive patients.”