Training

Approval of Training Programmes

Pursuant to the Health Professions Act No. 24 of 2009  Section  33 (1), “ a training institution that intends to offer training in a health profession shall apply to the council for approval of the training in the prescribed manner and form upon payment of the prescribed fee”, the Council is mandated to recognize and approve all training programmes for health practitioners.

 

The Health Professions Act No. 24 of 2009  Section 32 (1), prohibits training institutions from providing, or holding out as providing training to prepare students for a health profession, unless the training programme is approved by the Council.

The function  of the department is to ensure:

• Training institutions operate efficiently to attain the programme objectives
• The health practitioners that graduate from training institutions have necessary knowledge, skills and attitude required to provide quality health services.

 

The Council conducts annual compliance monitoring of training programmes. This is to ensure that training institutions offering approved programmes adhere to the set standards. The Health Professions Act No. 24 of 2009 Section 34 of the Laws of Zambia mandates the Council to withdraw the approval of the training programme where it determines that:

(a) The training programme no longer meets the requirements of the Act or
(b) The graduates of the training programme consistently fail to meet the standards required by their health profession.

 

Renewal of the Approval Certificates

All approved training programmes are required to renew their approval certificates annually as well as undergo monitoring to ensure continued compliance to the set standards.

 

Development of Guidelines for Approval of Training Programmes

In order to strengthen the mission of regulating the “professional conduct of public and private health practitioners and institutions to assure the provision of quality health services,” the Council in the exercise of its functions under Section 76 (1) of the Health Professions Act, may develop guidelines for the better carrying out of the provisions of the Act.

The guidelines are parallel systems, mechanisms and regulations that enforce and ensure the availability of qualified teaching personnel, acceptable infrastructure, resource materials, leadership and governance systems that propel the expansion of training programmes.

 

The guidelines include:

• Guidelines for approval of Full time Training programmes
• Guidelines for approval of Distance and E-learning programmes
• Guidelines for approval of Specialty training programmes
• Guidelines for approval of Internship programmes
  
• Guidelines for approval of Continuing Professional Development programmes

Each set of guidelines, in its appendices, has a corresponding assessment tool that is used during review for approval and renewal of training programs. This tool can also be used as a sample guide for self-assessment by the institution that has intentions of applying for recognition and approval of a particular programme.