Zimbabwean authorities have shut down 35 illegal healthcare facilities across the country this year, in a sweeping crackdown targeting unlicensed operations and unqualified individuals posing as medical professionals. The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPA) confirmed the closures, warning that unregulated health services pose a grave threat to public safety and must be eradicated.
The facilities, which were discovered through routine inspections, were found to be operating without valid licences. In some cases, individuals without any recognised medical training were posing as doctors, endangering the lives of unsuspecting patients. The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwesecretary-general Mrs. Clotilda Chimbwanda described the revelations as “shocking” and stressed the urgent need to protect communities from such malpractice.
“Violations leading to the closures included a critical lack of valid operating licences and, in some alarming instances, facilities being operated by non-qualified personnel masquerading as healthcare professionals,” Mrs. Chimbwanda said.
She explained that the closures are not simply about numbers, but about saving lives. “These figures are not just statistics; they represent a successful effort to remove significant risks from our communities,” she added.
According to The Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe, the illegal facilities presented severe risks to patients by offering services without proper supervision, oversight, or professional qualifications. In many cases, the clinics lacked standard equipment, while treatments administered were often inappropriate and sometimes dangerous.
“Unregistered facilities and bogus practitioners pose an existential threat to patient safety. They operate without oversight, often using substandard equipment and administering inappropriate, sometimes dangerous, treatment,” Mrs. Chimbwanda warned.
She said the crackdown is not only focused on shutting down such facilities but also on ensuring accountability through the legal system. “Our efforts are essential to not only shut these places down but also to bring the individuals responsible to justice,” she stressed.
Zimbabwe Shuts Down 35 Illegal Clinics Amid Crackdown on Bogus Health Practitioners
The HPA has reminded all legitimate health institutions that they are legally required to display a valid operating licence. This licence, issued by the authority, demonstrates compliance with the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s regulations.
Patients, too, were urged to be vigilant when seeking medical care. Mrs. Chimbwanda said individuals must demand to see proof of certification before consulting any practitioner. “Any individual providing consultation or treatment must possess a current and valid practising certificate from the appropriate Health Professions Council. This is proof of their professional registration, qualification and fitness to practise in Zimbabwe,” she said.
The warning comes amid growing concern about the mushrooming of informal clinics in both urban and rural areas, many of which prey on vulnerable populations who may lack access to formal health facilities.
The HPA confirmed that the 35 closures announced in September 2025 are only the beginning of a wider, permanent campaign to root out malpractice in the health sector. Mrs. Chimbwanda said inspections will intensify and be rolled out consistently across all provinces.
“The recent crackdown marks the beginning of an intensified, routine inspection drive that will continue across all provinces,” she explained. “This is not a temporary campaign; it is a permanent commitment to regulatory excellence. Our goal is to ensure that every single health facility operating in Zimbabwe meets the rigorous legal, safety, and operational standards required to protect our citizens.”
The authority said both urban and rural facilities would be covered in the drive to ensure no community is left vulnerable. In previous years, some rural areas have been particularly exposed to the rise of unlicensed operators due to long distances from public hospitals and shortages of qualified health workers.
The closures come at a time when Zimbabwe’s health sector is under pressure to deliver better outcomes amid economic constraints and a rising demand for services. The government has been investing in improving infrastructure and encouraging partnerships to strengthen service delivery, but illegal operators undermine those efforts.
By shutting down facilities that operate outside the law, the HPA hopes to restore confidence in the country’s health system. Mrs. Chimbwanda concluded: “Inspections will not stop until the public can have full confidence in licensed providers nationwide. Patients must feel secure that the care they receive is safe, professional and meets the highest standards.”
The crackdown is expected to continue for the remainder of 2025, with further closures anticipated as inspections widen. Authorities have also signalled that tougher penalties may be enforced for those caught masquerading as medical professionals, to deter others from engaging in such practices.
For patients, the HPA’s message remains clear: only consult practitioners and facilities that are properly registered. For operators, the warning is equally direct — comply with the law, or face closure and possible prosecution.
Source- iHarare
