The Namibia Institute of Pathology Limited (NIP) plans to establish a department within its Molecular Medicine Centre of Excellence to conduct DNA paternity tests as part of its new strategic plan, the Za Tuka business roadmap.
Currently, NIP operates 37 laboratories across Namibia but lacks the capacity to conduct DNA paternity tests for clients involved in legal or civil disputes or for parents seeking such information.
Over the past 14 years, NIP has facilitated 756 paternity tests using accredited laboratories in South Africa, at a cost of N$2,250 per test involving both parents and the child.
Since its inception 24 years ago, NIP has referred DNA paternity test samples to South Africa, with Namibians spending approximately N$1.7 million on such tests. The institute charges an administration fee of N$95 per test to cover shipping costs.
NIP’s Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer, Niita Evaristus, highlighted that DNA testing referrals are commonly made for inheritance claims to establish eligibility for estate distribution among blood relatives, paternity disputes to resolve uncertainties regarding biological parentage, and motor vehicle accident benefit payouts to confirm biological relationships for children of deceased individuals seeking benefits.
Other reasons she said , include cases where parents seek peace of mind by dispelling paternity-related rumors, as well as wills and estate planning, where affluent clients with terminal illnesses may wish to verify biological relationships to ensure only their legitimate children are included in their wills.
She said in some instances, DNA tests are required to correct national documents, such as birth certificates that mistakenly list a grandparent’s name instead of the biological father’s, requiring proof for amendments.
“[Affluent] clients with terminal illnesses may wish to verify biological relationships to ensure that only their legitimate children are included in their wills, and correction of national documents: for instances where official documents such as birth certificates reflect a grandparent’s name instead of the father’s, hence requiring proof for amendments,” Evaristus told The Brief.
As part of its expansion, NIP aims to establish a Centre of Excellence to recruit experts capable of performing DNA paternity tests and other advanced diagnostics locally.
In the past five years, NIP has shipped 756 DNA paternity test samples to South Africa.
“Typically, any medical laboratory will support the idea of newborn screening, which can include genetic testing to identify genetic disorders. However, mandatory DNA paternity testing to establish biological relationships is beyond our jurisdiction,” she said.
Currently, NIP primarily conducts tests for diseases and viruses deemed a public health concern.
