Staff Writer
The Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) recorded a profit of N$69 million during the 2021/22 financial year, representing growth of 54% compared to the previous financial year, despite making an N$83 million provision for bad debts, this was contained in the 2022 annual report, which is four years late.
Former chief executive officer, Kapena Tjombonde said the profit would be reinvested in capital projects, including the institute’s equipment replacement plan, to support the efficient delivery of pathology services.
The improved financial performance came as NIP continued to play a central role in Namibia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Revenue for the year increased by 4.7% to N$839 million, supported by the high volume of tests conducted during the period. At the beginning of the financial year, NIP was performing more than 80% of SARS-CoV-2 tests in the country.
Tjombonde said the pandemic placed significant pressure on the institute and the broader healthcare industry, but NIP managed to maintain its operations while controlling spending within its approved budget.
“The financial performance of the institute for the year under review has been encouraging despite the turbulent times that we encountered,” he said.
The high volumes of COVID-19 testing, however, placed considerable pressure on NIP’s laboratories, which also had to continue providing routine tests and other essential pathology services.
NIP’s response relied on its pathologists, scientists, medical technologists and other frontline healthcare professionals, who continued providing services during the peak of the pandemic.
The institute also decentralised testing services to laboratories in Oshakati, Katima Mulilo and Walvis Bay with the support of its strategic partners in the healthcare sector.
Tjombonde said NIP had also embarked on a technology upgrade, beginning the transition from its Meditech Magic laboratory information system to the web-based Meditech Expanse platform.
The new system is expected to improve access to laboratory services and reduce the turnaround time for laboratory results for clinicians and patients.
Looking ahead, Tjombonde said NIP had developed an Integrated Strategic Business Plan for the 2022-2027 period as it sought to accelerate transformation, growth and operational efficiency.
Former board chairperson Bryan Eiseb said the institute had grown despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and had made a significant contribution to Namibia’s national response.
“The daily prevention, diagnosis, and management of COVID-19 depended heavily on pathology services, and on behalf of the Board, we are extremely proud of the significant contribution NIP made to Namibia’s COVID-19 response,” Eiseb said.
NIP has also started processes to establish a research arm, which Eiseb said would support the institute’s mandate to conduct research into diseases and strengthen Namibia’s capacity to respond to future disease outbreaks.
