The Zimbabwe
Year established
1972
World Physiotherapy member since
1970
Year members reported
2019
Number of physiotherapist members
63
Contact details
[email protected]
(263) 433 9030
Key contacts
Amato Machikicho
Primary contact
[email protected]Amato Machikicho
President
[email protected]
Zimbabwe: a profile of the profession in 2019
Download profile
Data disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2019Professional titles protected by law
Physiotherapist
About Zimbabwe Physiotherapy Association and the physiotherapy profession in Zimbabwe
Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory
502
0.35
Per 10,000 population
% female
68%
In this country/territory
65%
In this region
66%
Globally
Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)
63
% female
75%
In this MO
70%
In MOs in this region
58%
In MOs globally
Physiotherapy professional entry level education
Minimum qualification required to practice
Bachelors degree
Equivalent fulltime years
4
Number of programmes
2
Entry level physiotherapy education programmes
Please contact the Zimbabwe Physiotherapy Association for details of entry level education programmes in Zimbabwe
Regulation
* = Continuing Professional Development
Registration required to practice
CPD* required for re-registration
CPD* required for membership
The system of regulation in the country/territory
The Health Professions ACT which governs the Health Professions Councils was promulgated by an Act of Parliament 12 years ago. The Minister of Health and Child Welfare is the administrator of this Act. The Health Professions Authority has a Board that is composed of the chairpersons of the 7 Health Professions Councils and five ministerial appointed members. The Health Professions Authority (HPA) registers and inspects all health institutions in the country, public and private.
Practice
Which authority defines scope of practice
Ministry of Health or another government department
Standards of practice
The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Education for autonomous practice
All programmes
Legislation to prevent private practice
Physiotherapists are permitted to
Act as first contact/autonomous practitioners
Assess patients/clients
Make a diagnosis
Offer preventative advice/services
Refer to other specialists/services
Treat (interventions, advice and evaluation of outcome)
Direct access
*Direct access means a person can refer themselves to a physiotherapist without referral from another health professional
Direct access* permitted?
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Will this be reimbursed?
In part
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?
Limitations
Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation
Acupuncture
Cardiorespiratory physical therapy
Electrophysical agents
Health promotion
Mental health
Orthopaedics/manual therapy
Pain
Sports physical therapy
Womens health
Management/administration
Neurology
Private practitioners
Profile of the profession in this region
A global profile of the profession is also available.
Accessible version of data
- Expand all
- Collapse all
Benin
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Cameroon
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the WCPT member organisation specific standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Congo (Democratic Republic)
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
5-10
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Eswatini
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
60-80%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
0
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Ethiopia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
20-40%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Independent
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, more than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Ghana
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40-60%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, more than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Some
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Ivory Coast
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Kenya
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Some
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Madagascar
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Some
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Malawi
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the WCPT standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Mali
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
20-40%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Masters degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Mauritius
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the WCPT standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Some
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Namibia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Niger
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
20-40%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Nigeria
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100-1000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
20-40%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Independent
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, more than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Rwanda
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Partnership
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Senegal
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
South Africa
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
1000-10000
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
1-5
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
60-80%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
>80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Independent
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, more than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Sudan
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
20-40%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
0
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Some
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Tanzania
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40-60%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Togo
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
<20%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Uganda
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Partnership
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Zambia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
<20%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
1-5
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Partnership
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, more than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Zimbabwe
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
<100
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population
<1
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
20-40%
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60-80%
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population
<1
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Government
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, the standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Can people self-refer to physiotherapists in private practice?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Related content
COVID-19 information hub
World Physiotherapy is a global hub for information and resources about COVID-19 relevant to the physiotherapy profession.
