adminThandeka Moyo, Chronicle Reporter
THE Health Professions Authority Zimbabwe (HPA) will unveil its first ever electronic register of health institutions for members of the public to use in accessing healthcare.
The register will help Zimbabweans access healthcare from registered practitioners who can be disciplined by the association in case of malpractice.
Using unregistered health institutions may expose patients to exorbitant legal fees whenever they seek compensation.
Mr Shepherd Humure, the organisation’s secretary general said in the past the register was only accessible to members upon request and that slowed down progress.
“We decided to introduce the electronic register so we raise awareness to members of the public who for a long time have been victims of unregistered health institutions. The register will be put up on our website and the public will be able to cross check the credibility of some health institutions and personnel,” said Mr Humure.
He warned citizens against using unregistered health institutions as the practice is illegal.
“Members of the public need to first confirm if an institution is registered before seeking health care. This makes monitoring easy and health officials can be easily held accountable if an anomaly occurs.”
Mr Humure said any health institution operating without registration would be closed immediately.
“The HPA is requesting its members to visit the website on www.hpa.co.zw on the page entitled HPA Database to check and confirm that their health institution details are correct.”
“After they confirm their details, we will upload the database for the benefit of the public as members are required by law to seek health service only from registered health institutions,” he said.
He said the deadline for submissions and corrections was October 21 this year.
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