Online Reporter
Sharon Masocha
MORE than 15 beauty and wellness salons administering injectable and intravenous beauty enhancements have been shut down this year after being found offering the services without the requisite competencies.
The crackdown by the Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPAZ) was in response to the proliferation of salons providing injectable and intravenous beauty treatments, despite the law mandating that such procedures be performed by trained health professionals.
According to HPAZ, non-medical personnel lack the necessary skills to handle potential complications, putting clients at significant risk.
Responding to an inquiry from The Sunday Mail, HPAZ said: “Only trained health professionals should administer drips or give injections. When performed by non-medical personnel, these procedures pose serious risks.
“Injections and infusions must be given in a controlled environment equipped with emergency drugs and equipment to manage potential adverse effects.
“Health professionals administering these procedures must also be registered with the appropriate health professions council.”
Under Section 126 of the Health Professions Act, non-medical personnel are explicitly prohibited from performing acts that pertain to a registered profession.
“The authority has closed over 15 salons offering these services. Anything that goes into the human body, in terms of medicines, must be approved and licensed by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.
“People react differently to different components found in different drugs depending on any medical conditions that one may have or any allergies to certain drugs.
“Only a trained health professional would be able to seek and interpret someone’s medical history appropriately,” said the HPAZ.
The authority continues to conduct routine inspections of health facilities to ensure compliance with health standards.
“Inspections specifically look for beauty parlours offering injections and infusions that should only be administered by registered health professionals,” said HPAZ.
“Additionally, the registered health professionals often report these illegal operations when patients experience complications from unauthorised procedures. The public is encouraged to report any such activities to the authority.”
