13 Aug 2013

The Ministry of Health has reminded private health practitioners to renew registration with Botswana Health Professions Council and Private Practice licenses annually.

A press release from the ministry said that followed an allegation that some private health practitioners operated without renewal of their licenses. The release said the license renewal period was from April to June 30 and each license was valid for a year and expired on March 31 the following year.

It said renewal for the year 2013/14 had commenced since April while a certified valid copy of the registration card and expired license were requested for renewal. Furthermore, it stated that all private practitioners employed under the licensure of another must be registered with the office of the director of health services and a license holder must attach certified copy of their employee’s professional registration card.

It also said permission to employ private practitioners must be sought from director unless on locum basis for a period not exceeding three months which did not require application. Practitioners were also informed that the ministry was now issuing licenses in the form of certificates.

It had also been realised that some practitioners had opened multiple practices without getting permission and being licensed. Nonetheless, the release said practitioners who operated multiple practices without being licensed should contact the director immediately or face closure of their facilities.

Some practitioners, it added, had abandoned their practices for a long period of time without informing the office of the director of health services. The release also stated that it was illegal to engage a professional in private practice without approval of the director of health services.

Meanwhile, all private practices whose licenses have not been renewed to date, run the risk of being charged as according to Botswana Health Professions Act, Section 13 subsection (11) losing their licenses as they will not be renewed and the facilities will be closed for good. Ends