Trust Freddy
Herald Correspondent
THE Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPA) has closed 49 illegal health institutions this year, including drug and substance abuse rehabilitation facilities operating without registration or qualified personnel.
In a statement, HPA, which is mandated by the Health Professions Act (Chapter 27:19) to regulate health institutions and professionals, said it had noted a rise in unregistered facilities operating outside legal frameworks.
“These unregistered facilities frequently lack appropriate infrastructure, fail to adhere to established medical protocols, and operate outside legal frameworks,” HPA said.
The authority warned that seeking treatment at unregistered facilities poses severe risks, including substandard care, exposure to unproven or harmful treatments, patient abuse and neglect, and lack of legal recourse in cases of malpractice.
“Through inspections and information from the public, a total of 49 facilities have been closed this year,” HPA said.
HPA advised patients and their relatives to check for a valid HPA certificate for institutional registration, a valid practising certificate from the practitioner’s respective council and any other relevant certificates before receiving medical or rehabilitative services.
The authority urged members of the public to seek services exclusively from registered institutions and to report unregistered facilities to the nearest police station or directly to HPA.
Members of the public can verify registration status on the HPA website at http://www.hpa.co.zw or report through Econet 0808 5500, NetOne 0716 800 189/190, Telecel 0732 220 220/0732 330 330, or via email [email protected] and website http://www.axcentium.co.zw.
