By Patience Gondo
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has warned the public to be wary of fraudulent nursing training advertisements circulating on social media demanding fees to process applications.
MoHCC said it does not charge any fees for that processing.
The warning comes as the MoHCC advertisedb for the 2026 intakes of General Nurse, Mental Health Nurse and Primary Care Nurse training programmes commencing in January, May, and September 2026.
MoHCC said in a statement it only advertises through state print media and has not authorized any third parties, agents or individuals to recruit or collect application fees on its behaaf.
“The public is hereby informed that the Ministry of Health and Child Care does not advertise through any other media except state print media and does not charge any fee for processing applications,” MoHCC said.
“No third parties have been requested to recruit on behalf of the Ministry.”
The Ministry’s clarification follows reports in previous years of unsuspecting applicants being defrauded through fake online adverts promising nursing school placement in exchange for payment.
According to the notice, all legitimate applications must be submitted directly to the designated district, mission, or central hospitals, addressed to the Medical Superintendent or Senior Nurse Tutor-in-Charge.
The official closing date for all applications is 10 November 2025.
Applicants are required to possess a minimum of five Ordinary Level subjects with Grade C or better, including English Language and at least one Science subject such as Biology, Chemistry, Integrated Science, Physical Science, Combined Science, or Physics.
The Ministry said examination result slips are not accepted, and that the use of fraudulent certificates will be treated as a serious criminal offence.
“The passes should have been obtained from not more than three sittings with original certificates,” said MoHCC.
Candidates must be between 18 and 45 years of age by the start of training on 5 January, 4 May or 7 September 2026.
Shortlisted applicants will be required to present original and certified copies of their birth certificate, national ID, Ordinary Level certificates, marriage certificate (where applicable), and two passport-sized photographs during interviews.
Verification of academic documents will be conducted by the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (ZIMSEC), and successful candidates will be deployed to training institutions across the country where posts are available.
Among the official training centres listed for 2026 are Parirenyatwa, Sally Mugabe, and United Bulawayo Hospitals, as well as provincial and mission hospitals including Chinhoyi, Gweru, Masvingo, Mutare, Bonda, Gokwe South, Inyathi, and Silveira.
The ministry said it maintains a zero-tolerance stance on corruption in student nurse recruitment and urged applicants to report any suspected cases of fraud or individuals posing as recruiters.
“Zero tolerance to corruption in student nurse recruitment,” MoHCC said.