The Chief Executive Officer of the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST), Anicia Peters, has urged greater investment in biomedical research to strengthen Namibia’s healthcare system.
Speaking at the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) Research Trust Fundraising Breakfast, Peters stressed the importance of research in shaping the country’s healthcare future. She noted that biomedical research should be both proactive and reactive in addressing current and emerging health challenges.
“It must be proactive in anticipating future challenges and working towards long-term solutions for diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and non-communicable diseases that continue to burden our healthcare system,” Peters said.
The event, sponsored by Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC), Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund, Ongwediva MediPark, and Momentum Metropolitan Empowerment Fund, highlighted the crucial role of research in tackling both national and global health concerns.
Peters emphasised that investment in biomedical research is an investment in a healthier Namibia, benefiting future generations through medical advancements. She added that it would also equip healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and tools to address emerging health threats and improve prevention strategies.
She called for increased funding mechanisms, greater knowledge-sharing among institutions, and more resources for Namibian scientists and researchers.
While the NCRST administers the National Research Fund, Peters acknowledged that government investment in research has declined over the past decade, making it necessary to secure additional funding to sustain the research ecosystem.
“We provide grants, but research talent, equipment, accredited lab facilities, a conducive regulatory environment, and collaboration are absolutely necessary,” she added.
The fundraising breakfast served as a platform to mobilise support for the NIP Research Trust Fund, which aims to finance groundbreaking research and innovative medical approaches. NIP’s Research and Development division showcased its ongoing projects, including Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Surveillance, HPV research, Candida Surveillance studies, and Influenza tracking initiatives, all designed to tackle pressing public health challenges and bolster Namibia’s healthcare resilience.
