The Ministry of Health and Social Services has established a Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP) manufacturing facility in Swakopmund.

Phase one of the facility focused directly on the production of collection tubes for self-use, which ensures consistent availability of the tubes to health practitioners.

Health and Social Services Minister Dr. Esperance Luvindao revealed this in Parliament.

The minister said phase two of the manufacturing plant is geared for commercial purposes, targeting suppliers not just in Namibia but also in the SADC market of over 400 million people.

Dr. Luvindao explained that the NIP, as a national health laboratory, provides laboratory services for about 80% of the population who depend on public health services to succeed as a national medical laboratory.

"NIP plays a critical role in saving lives and reducing the burden of disease. To achieve this, it must adopt innovative methods to provide continuous and efficient services. The specimen collection tubes produced at the innovation hub are vital tools for laboratory services, as blood collection, transport, and storage for diagnostics depend on them."

Long-term societal benefits of the manufacturing facility, the minister highlighted, include the introduction of a new industry with locally manufactured products.
 
She added that the manufacturing activity of the plant is undertaken within the regulatory scope of the International Organisation for Standards.
 
“The specimen collection tubes are designed with features to ensure safety standards such as leak proof seals as well as bio-hazard containment. Furthermore, the Namibia Medicines Regulatory Council (NMRC) is working very closely with the relevant SADC bodies such as Zazibona to explore certification processes as well as the relevant support mechanisms for certifying such products and clean room facilities operated by the NIP.”