BULAWAYO, OCT 13, (SOUTHERN EYE LIVE): The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPA) has closed 49 health facilities this year for operating illegally, including drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centres, amid concerns over patient safety and the quality of care provided at unregistered institutions.
In a public notice,HPA Secretary General Clotilda Chimbwanda warned that some facilities were operating without the requisite registration or qualified personnel, exposing patients to substandard treatment, abuse and neglect.
The HPA said unregistered institutions often lacked appropriate infrastructure, failed to follow established medical protocols and operated outside the country's legal framework.
“Seeking treatment at unregistered health facilities poses severe risks to patients, including substandard care, exposure to unproven or harmful treatments, patient abuse and neglect, as well as a complete lack of legal recourse in cases of malpractice or harm,” Chimbwanda said.
The authority said the 49 facilities had been closed following inspections and information received from members of the public.
The closures come amid growing concerns about the regulation of drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centres, where vulnerable people seeking treatment may be exposed to unsafe conditions and unqualified practitioners.
The HPA urged members of the public to verify the registration status of health institutions before seeking medical or rehabilitation services.
Patients and their relatives were advised to check whether facilities displayed a valid HPA institutional registration certificate, a valid practising certificate issued by the relevant professional council and any other applicable certificates.
- HPA closes 49 illegal health facilities
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The authority said members of the public who encountered unregistered medical facilities or drug and substance abuse rehabilitation centres should report them to the nearest police station or directly to the HPA.
Members of the public can verify the registration status of institutions through the authority's website or by contacting its offices.
The authority also encouraged the public to report unethical practices through the Axcentium EthicsLine, of which the HPA is a member.
The Health Professions Authority is established under the Health Professions Act [Chapter 27:19] and is mandated to regulate health institutions and ensure that health professionals and facilities comply with prescribed standards of care.
