Namibia Receives Mobile Lab and Specialist Training from Russia to Boost Public Health Capacity

Namibia Receives Mobile Lab and Specialist Training from Russia to Boost Public Health Capacity. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has expressed gratitude to the Russian Federation for the donation of a portable mobile laboratory, along with materials and technical expertise, aimed at strengthening Namibia’s public health response capabilities.

The donation was made through the Russian Anti-Plague Research Institute “Microbe”, part of Rospotrebnadzor, Russia’s Federal Service for Surveillance and Consumer Protection and Human Wellbeing. This support forms part of an ongoing cooperation agreement between the two countries.

From 14–18 July 2025, a team of Russian specialists is in Namibia to conduct hands-on training for 23 Namibian health professionals, enhancing their skills in mobile diagnostics, sequencing, and rapid field testing. The visiting specialists include Ekaterina Naidenova (virologist), Svetlana Portenko (bacteriologist), Ivan Shpak (sequencing and bioinformatics specialist), and Sergey Sysoev (engineer).

Officiating at the training in Windhoek, Taimi Amaambo, Deputy Executive Director of MoHSS, praised the Russian Federation for its ongoing collaboration. “Mobile laboratory technology brings testing and analysis directly to the sites where they are urgently needed—reducing costs, improving accessibility, and enabling rapid response in remote or high-risk areas,” she said.

The mobile lab is expected to enhance Namibia’s capacity to manage disease outbreaks, conduct surveillance, and respond to emergencies with greater efficiency. This is particularly relevant for rural regions and during epidemics where time-sensitive testing is critical.