Zimbabwe to Introduce Breathalyser Tests for Health Workers Amid Substance Abuse Concerns

The Health Service Commission (HSC) is set to introduce mandatory breathalyser tests and drug screenings for medical personnel in Zimbabwe, in a move aimed at addressing growing concerns over substance abuse in the healthcare sector. The proposal was announced by HSC Secretary Christopher Pasi during a stakeholder consultative meeting held at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on Tuesday.

The planned Zimbabwe health workers' drug testing policy will apply to approximately 52,000 healthcare professionals across the country. Pasi said the initiative is modelled on safety protocols already used in high-risk sectors such as mining and manufacturing, where routine substance testing is standard practice.

“The issue of substance testing or breathalysers, which occur in industries such as manufacturing or mining, is something we need to look at within our own regulations,” Pasi said.

“Substance abuse is not only a danger to the individual, but also to the patient being managed.”

To implement the policy, the HSC will collaborate with the Health Professions Authority (HPA) to establish a technical team tasked with standardising regulations across all eight health professional councils. The proposed framework will include:

• Mandatory breathalyser and drug testing protocols

• Training for managers to identify early signs of substance abuse

• Confidential peer-reporting systems

• Clear disciplinary and rehabilitation procedures

HPA Secretary-General Clotilda Chimbwanda welcomed the move, noting the need for consistency.

“While individual councils have handled such cases, a unified protocol is essential to ensure fairness and effectiveness,” she said.

Data from the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Council of Zimbabwe indicates that nearly 100 practitioners are currently under supervision for alcohol and substance abuse-related issues.

Health policy expert Prosper Chitambara said the policy could improve patient safety if properly implemented:

“Healthcare requires high levels of alertness and responsibility. Measures that ensure practitioners are fit for duty can enhance service delivery and public trust.”

While the initiative has been broadly welcomed, analysts say it will need to balance patient safety with workers’ rights, particularly around privacy and due process. Labour expert Alex Magaisa noted:

“Such measures must be implemented within a clear legal framework to protect both patients and healthcare workers from potential abuse of the system.”

The Zimbabwe breathalyser tests for health workers policy signals a shift toward stricter regulation in the healthcare sector, as authorities seek to improve professionalism and accountability. If implemented effectively, the framework could strengthen patient safety standards, but its success will depend on transparency, fairness, and stakeholder buy-in across the health system.

Zimbabwe health workers drug testing