The Namibia Institute of Pathology Limited (NIP) has announced the decentralisation of a range of critical diagnostic tests previously only available at its central laboratory in Windhoek.
NIP said the move is aimed at improving regional healthcare access and reducing turnaround times.
Among the tests now accessible in regional laboratories are Blood Grouping and RH, RPR, Hepatitis E IgM, and COVID-19 tests, with the decentralisation initiative having eased pressure on the Windhoek facility and shortened diagnostic waiting times nationwide.
“Over the past three years, the NIP has significantly enhanced healthcare accessibility by decentralising a suite of critical diagnostic tests across its national laboratory network,” NIP Chief Executive Officer Kapena Tjombonde said.
According to Tjombonde, the Institute has made substantial investments in upgrading its infrastructure, replacing 22 out of 38 outdated instruments – a 54% replacement rate – across its 37 laboratories in all 14 regions.
She added that essential tests such as HIV Early Infant Diagnosis, Hepatitis E, Troponin T, D-Dimer, and Prostate-Specific Antigen are now available in laboratories situated in remote towns including Opuwo, Okahao, Khorixas, and Karasburg.
“This expansion and decentralisation enable quicker clinical decisions, particularly in critical and time-sensitive cases, while also reducing logistical burdens on the healthcare system. These advancements underscore NIP’s commitment to equitable healthcare delivery through continuous innovation and strategic decentralisation,” she said.
The expansion forms part of the Institute’s broader hub-spoke-node strategy, which seeks to enhance diagnostic capabilities in previously underserved areas, reducing reliance on lengthy referral systems and improving response times for urgent medical cases.
Looking ahead, the NIP said it has set a target to replace 40% of its diagnostic equipment during the 2024/2025 financial year under its Equipment Replacement Plan (ERP), a key component of the organisation’s Integrated Strategic Business Plan (ISBP) 2022–2027, which aims to modernise operations and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services across Namibia.
