Kapena Tjombonde, former CEO of the Namibia Institute of Pathology (NIP), has shared her experiences and lessons learned during her five-year tenure at the institution. She joined NIP in February 2021, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the laboratory had no substantive executive leadership team and was heavily reliant on international capacity for critical tests. Her leadership was guided by the principle that leadership is ultimately measured by its impact on people.
Tjombonde's career progression included roles at the Legal Assistance Centre, the Attorney General's Office, Namibia University of Science and Technology, and the Motor Vehicle Assistance Fund. She pursued an LLB, Master's degree in Law & Business, and other postgraduate qualifications, which strengthened her understanding of governance, risk, compliance, and business strategy. Her diverse experience prepared her for the demands of being the CEO at NIP.
During her tenure, Tjombonde and her team focused on saving lives by expanding and stabilizing regional diagnostic capability, introducing new tests, decentralizing more tests, and improving sample transportation and logistics. They also established genomic sequencing capacity, renewed ageing infrastructure, and overhauled the supply chain and logistics. These efforts resulted in improved turnaround times and enhanced institutional performance.
One of the significant achievements during Tjombonde's tenure was the improvement in testing turnaround-time from 59% to 93%. This was achieved through phenomenal teamwork and effective strategy execution. She also strengthened leadership development, provided scholarships for targeted specialist training, and introduced a graduate development programme to support 13 laboratories that had operated with one employee.
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of countries relying on external supplies and expertise. In response, NIP established the Medical Innovation Hub in Swakopmund to build local medical manufacturing capacity. The hub aimed to create opportunities for Namibian skills, employment, innovation, and readiness, with the objective of locally producing commodities and developing expertise required to sustain Namibia's health system.
Tjombonde emphasized the importance of accountability in leadership, stating that public institutions exist to serve the public interest, and their leaders must be ready to explain and account for their decisions. She also highlighted the need for an honest assessment of what is working and what is not, and the courage to confront realities and act to bring about sustainable improvement.
NIP's work contributes to the United Nations' third Sustainable Development Goal: ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. Tjombonde's experience at NIP has demonstrated that public health is not only a service obligation but also a central pillar of sustainable development. Her leadership and vision have positioned NIP as a catalyst for Namibia's national development.
Key points
- Improved testing turnaround-time from 59% to 93%
- Establishment of Medical Innovation Hub in Swakopmund
- Enhanced institutional performance and leadership development
