By Staff Reporter
In a bold move aimed at curbing the rise of fraudulent practitioners in Zimbabwe, HealthTimes has launched the Zim Medical Doctors Directory. The platform is set to act as a reliable reference point for credible medical services in the country, offering patients a trusted source to find qualified doctors.
This comes amid a growing concern over the increasing number of individuals claiming to be medical professionals without proper qualifications, putting patients at risk of being duped and subjected to unsafe treatments.
We are introducing this platform not as a way to advertise medical doctors, but to bridge the information gap regarding where patients can access legitimate medical services,” said Michael Gwarisa, editor for HealthTimes.
“Zimbabweans have, over the years, increasingly traveled abroad for medical assistance, often because they were unaware that some of these services are available locally. Through our research, we’ve discovered that certain specialized services are actually more affordable here in Zimbabwe than overseas. Our goal is to connect local people with local service providers.”
The directory aims to address another alarming trend – the rise of individuals posing as medical practitioners, sometimes administering unapproved supplements not authorized by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ). “We will also be conducting thorough verification to authenticate the credentials of the doctors who submit their information to us,” Gwarisa added.
“Our mandate is not to advertise medical practices, but to protect consumers by directing them to the right services and the right people.”
Being listed in a verified directory offers doctors a credible platform to showcase their services while ensuring patient safety. In countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia, such directories have proven to be effective in protecting citizens from scams and ensuring that only licensed professionals provide healthcare services. These platforms not only enhance public trust but also strengthen the healthcare system by promoting transparency and accountability.
