Niël Terblanché
The Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) is in the process of modernising its national diagnostic infrastructure as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen laboratory services across all regions of the country.
The NIP’s chief executive officer, Kapena Tjombonde, said in a statement on Wednesday that through its Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP), the institute is replacing outdated diagnostic tools with newer, more efficient technology to reduce turnaround times and improve access to life-saving tests, particularly in underserved areas.
“This initiative forms a key component of NIP’s Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) 2022–2027, aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of healthcare services throughout Namibia,” she said.
Tjombonde added that 21 of the 38 targeted diagnostic instruments have already been replaced.
“For the just-ended 2024/2025 financial year, our target was set at 40%. We are pleased to report that we achieved a 54% replacement rate, which translates to 21 instruments successfully replaced across our 37-laboratory network in all 14 regions of the country,” she said.
According to Tjombonde, the modernisation of equipment goes hand in hand with a broader strategy of decentralisation.
She said that over the past three years, NIP has rolled out a range of high-demand diagnostic tests, such as Blood Grouping and RH, RPR, Hepatitis E IgM, and COVID-19 testing, beyond Windhoek to regional laboratories, reducing dependence on central facilities.
“We have significantly enhanced healthcare accessibility by decentralising a suite of critical diagnostic tests,” she said.
NIP has also expanded its test offerings in remote node laboratories across the country.
“In a strategic push to reach underserved communities, we extended our test menu to node labs in places like Opuwo, Okahao, Khorixas and Karasburg,” she explained.
Tjombonde added that these facilities can now carry out essential diagnostic procedures, including HIV Early Infant Diagnosis, Hepatitis E, Troponin T, D-Dimer, and Prostate Specific Antigen tests.
This decentralised approach not only shortens the time required for clinical decisions in urgent cases but also reduces logistical pressure on the health system by minimising the need for sample transport and external referrals.
Tjombonde indicated that while the progress made so far is encouraging, the Institute remains focused on reaching its long-term goals.
“NIP will accelerate efforts to meet our overall target and sustain the operational excellence our stakeholders expect,” she said.
According to Tjombonde, the upgrade project is expected to redefine Namibia’s diagnostic landscape by 2027, making laboratory testing more accessible, responsive, and technologically advanced.
