By Kudakwashe Pembere
The Nurses Council of Zimbabwe (NCZ) has hinted at introducing additional security features to the nursing practicing certificate to curb the proliferation of counterfeit certificates on the market.
This development follows reports that some individuals were forging qualifications and some employers were only finding out their employees hold fake certificates after they would have failed to perform at work.
The NCZ is the examiner starting from diploma courses in government nursing schools across the country. NCZ approves the curricula and training regulations for nurses/midwives training schools. The diploma certificates are given upon graduating at the Government nurse training institutions.
Like nurses council, right now, we are in the process of coming up with a diploma which has quite several security features,” NCZ acting registrar Mrs Grace Madondo said.
“So very soon, we will have a diploma with several security features to curb this issue of fake diplomas, fake practising certificates that is rampant at the moment. Our diploma will have changed because we issue diplomas for those who we examine, especially those who are trained by the Ministry of Health.”
Mrs Madondo added that employers and those who wanted to further their practice through taking a nursing specialty would after engaging the NCZ find out the nurses had bogus practicing certificates.
“We already introduced a QR code as a security measure for the practicing certificate which we give out. Employers can scan the code and get the information about a particular nurse,” explained Mrs Madondo.
“For now, I would suggest that the employer should scan the practicing certificate’s bar code using the QR code scanner. If the practicing certificate has no bar code or if there’s no information displayed, the employer can confirm with us at registrar@nursescouncil.co.zw, attaching the diploma, registration certificate, and practicing certificate,” she said.
To avoid alerting the manufacturers of bogus diploma certificates, Mrs Madondo said the new diplomas have hidden security features.
“We wouldn’t want to alert these scammers hence the hidden security features alongside the QR codes which will help minimize this problem,” she said.
She encouraged employers to check rigorously the authenticity of not only the diploma certificates but practicing certificates. Mrs Madondo said she remembers the council reporting three holders of fake practicing certificates to the police.
“Of the bogus diplomas I may not have the figure now as we often get numerous reports from employers. I am not in the office now but as for the practicing certificates, I remember we reported three to the Police.
“The employers before engaging the person, yes the person might produce a practicing certificate. They should check that it is not a fake practicing certificate.
“I think it is the same now with diplomas. Some are manufacturing fake diplomas out there appearing like an authentic diploma when it’s actually fake,” the NCZ acting registrar said.
According to the NCZ website, the council defines and enforces ethical practices and discipline among nurses/midwives in Zimbabwe in compliance with the Health Professions Act.
“The Council investigate cases of alleged misconduct or gross incompetence by registered persons. The NCZ is empowered to take appropriate disciplinary measures against nurses/midwives found guilty of misconduct. When misconduct is alleged, a report is submitted to the Practice Control Committee which then sets up a Disciplinary Committee to carry out preliminary investigations. If the allegations are substantiated, the Disciplinary Committee can call for a Disciplinary Hearing after which it can pass a verdict,” reads the website.
