Prioritise local value addition - Tibinyane

The health ministry’s acting deputy executive director Axel Tibinyane has called for the prioritisation of local value addition in procurement processes to retain the country’s currency, skills and jobs.Tibinyane made the remarks at the handover of medical equipment valued at N$500 000 to the ministry from Namibia Medical Engineering in Windhoek on Tuesday. He emphasised the importance of supporting local businesses and favouring them on the market to strengthen Namibia&#039;s economy.“When we import goods, including medical equipment and pharmaceutical services, we are boosting the capacity of the countries from which we buy. It is thus crucial that we address this issue to create more jobs locally," he said."As a government, we must build systems to support local companies, ensuring that we do not export raw materials or half-processed goods, along with our currency and jobs. We should keep these resources within our borders to develop our economy," Tibinyane urged.Vital investment The equipment donated to the health ministry, including hospital beds, examination couches, delivery beds, bedside lockers, patient stretchers, bed screens, emergency trolleys, cylinder holders, mattresses for hospital beds, drip stands and X-ray view boxes, was all locally Tibinyane accepted the equipment on behalf of executive director Ben Nangobe and extended the ministry’s appreciation for the philanthropic gesture towards the health fraternity. “This is not just a donation but an investment in the healthcare system of Namibia. Namibia Medical Engineering’s return will be realised through doing business with healthier employees, healthier business partners - thus securing a sustainable, healthier business,” said Tibinyane.He further advised them not to be discouraged by the challenges that often come with the early stages of innovation, as their efforts are vital for the future of Namibia&#039;s healthcare system.Continued effortsNamibia Medical Engineering operational director Ndati Shipanga said the company is currently building a medical incinerator to dispose of medical waste, which will be the first locally produced medical waste incinerator. “We started work on it in mid-June this year, and its completion currently stands at 80%. We are just waiting to install accessories such as burners and control boxes. We will have it commissioned on 20 July. We are also in the process of acquiring intellectual property certification for it,” he said.

Prioritise local value addition - Tibinyane

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-07

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Prioritise local value addition - Tibinyane

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-07

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