Physiotherapists in Zimbabwe have been represented in World Physiotherapy since 1970. The Zimbabwe Physiotherapy Association was established in 1972 and is part of our Africa region.
World Physiotherapy member since
1970
Year members reported
2023
Number of physiotherapist members
7
Contact details
[email protected]
(263) 433 9030
Key contacts
Amato Machikicho
Primary contact
[email protected]Amato Machikicho
President
Zimbabwe: a profile of the profession in 2023
Download profile
Data disclaimerData correct as at 30 June 2023Professional titles protected by law
Physiotherapist
Rehabilitation Technician
About Zimbabwe Physiotherapy Association and the physiotherapy profession in Zimbabwe
Practising physiotherapists in the country/territory
423
0.26
Per 10,000 population
% female
50%
In this country/territory
62%
In this region
63%
Globally
Physiotherapist members in this member organisation (MO)
7
% female
71%
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
1
Entry level physiotherapy education programmes
https://www.uz.ac.zw/index.php/chs-departments/363-rehabilitation.
Regulation
* = Continuing Professional Development
Registration required to practice
CPD* required for re-registration
CPD* required for membership
What is required to practice in the country/territory?
1. Academic qualification certificate from a recognised Training Institution-local or international 2. Premises Certification-including the local Council Health department certification. 3. A National Medical Association Societies number exclusive to the Practitioner if you are in Private practice 4. Registration with both the Health Professions Authority of Zimbabwe (HPAZ), as well as the Medical Rehabilitation Professions Council of Zimbabwe (MRPCZ) www.mrpcz.org.zw 5. Having a valid Open Practicing Certificate from MRPCZ (renewable every quarter), and a Registration Certificate from the HPAZ The Health Professions Act covers all seven health professions councils, including the Medical Rehabilitations Professions Council Of Zimbabwe, which regulates Physiotherapy practice. The Health Professions Authority has a board, which includes the chairpersons of the health professions councils and five ministerial appointed members. The Health Professions Authority registers and inspects all public and private health institutions. http://www.hpa.co.zw/inspectorate.php Physiotherapist must satisfy the Regulator of Academic and Professional qualifications, as well as hold a practicing certificate from Zimbabwe Rehabilitation Practitioners Council.
Practice
Which authority defines scope of practice
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities
Standards of practice
The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Education for autonomous practice
All programmes
Legislation supports 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)
Provide telehealth services
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?
Can people self refer to physiotherapists in the public system?
Limitations
What are the circumstances in which direct access is limited?
Setting (eg. outpatient, private practice, school setting, prevention and wellness, etc)
Population/health condition (eg. musculoskeletal, non-complex, etc)
Time (eg. medical referral required if treatment is needed beyond 30 or 60 days)
Training (eg. certification, academic training, or CPD to demonstrate skill necessary to treat patients without referral from a medial doctor)
Other
Generally, all patients admitted in a hospital need a Doctor's referral to be seen by a physio, and in particular, those in High Dependency or Intensive Care Units need the WRITTEN referral from a doctor-usually in their Hospital daily notes File. Particular situations where patients have a medical condition for which any physical effort might trigger cardiopulmonary distress-or history thereof. Patients with a medical history for which physiotherapy has been contraindicated before Some Medical Health Insurance Funders will pay less for certain Medical conditions if the patient has no Dr's referral
Special interest groups recognised by the member organisation
Acupuncture
Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy
Orthopaedics/manual therapy
Older people
Oncology/palliative care and HIV
Paediatrics
Sports physiotherapy
Neurology
Occupational health and ergonomics
Private practitioners
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) events
http://www.zimphysio.org.zwThis is currently offline
https://zimphysioassociation.org.zwcurrently offline/down
Profile of the profession in this region
A global profile of the profession is also available.
Accessible version of data
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Angola
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
2,470 (1000-10000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.69 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
75% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
75% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.7 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Member organisation
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Benin
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
108 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.19 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
56% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
52% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.37 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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?
Public only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Cameroon
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
100 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.11 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
65% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
53% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.36 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy member organisation specific standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Congo (Democratic Republic)
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
312 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.13 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
78% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
67% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.3 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Eswatini
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
32 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.28 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
69% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
68% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)
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
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Ethiopia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
78 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.06 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
47% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
45% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.2 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Ghana
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
135 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
58% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
58% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.45 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Ivory Coast
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
90 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.08 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
33% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
35% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.18 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Kenya
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
243 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.4 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
42% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
49% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.02 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Madagascar
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
95 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.07 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
53% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
55% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.17 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Malawi
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
240 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.09 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
21% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
22% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.25 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
A partnership between a regulation/licensing/registration body and your organisation (Partnership)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Mauritius
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
41 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.71 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
59% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
56% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
3.96 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Namibia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
137 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.57 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
73% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
68% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.95 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Niger
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
62 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.03 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
26% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
29% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.38 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
No
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
No
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Nigeria
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
790 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.06 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
40% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
40% (20-40%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.48 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, Some programmes (Some)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Rwanda
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
101 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.3 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
30% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
52% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.36 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Senegal
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
86 (<100)
Sierra Leone
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
33 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.04 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
58% (40-60%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
58% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.16 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (Government)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The World Physiotherapy standard
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
Yes
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
South Africa
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
3,373 (1000-10000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
1.47 (1-5)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
87% (>80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
60% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.67 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Sudan
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
69 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.77 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
77% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
93% (>80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
1.49 (1-5)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, More than one
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
No
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Togo
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
95 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.51 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
29% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
16% (<20%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.57 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Private only
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Uganda
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
255 (100-1000)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.1 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
34% (20-40%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
49% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Diploma
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.42 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
Yes
Zambia
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
93 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.6 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
72% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
65% (60-80%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.5 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
Ministry of Health or another government department (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, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
No
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
Zimbabwe
How many physiotherapist members does our member organisation have?
7 (<100)
How many practising physiotherapists per 10,000 population?
0.26 (<1)
What proportion of physiotherapist members are female?
71% (60-80%)
What proportion of practising physiotherapists are female?
51% (40-60%)
What is the minimum qualification required to practice?
Bachelors degree
How many entry level education programmes per 5,000,000 population?
0.31 (<1)
Is registration required to practice?
Yes
Which authority defines scope of practice?
One or more independent regulation/licensing/registration authorities (Independent)
Is practice guided by specified standards of practice?
Yes, The standards of the regulatory/licensing/registration authority
Are physiotherapists educated for autonomous practice?
Yes, All programmes (Yes)
Is direct access permitted?
Yes
Do support personnel work with physiotherapists?
Yes
Do physiotherapists need to be a member of our member organisation to practice?
No
Are physiotherapists permitted to provide telehealth services?
No
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