Medical wholesale creates 35 jobs

PAULINA NDALIKOKULEA 100% Namibian-owned wholesale supplier and distributor of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment launched at Okahandja on Friday will create 35 jobs.

Executive chairman of Shipanga Medical Services, Martin Shipanga, said the company will provide a wide spectrum of healthcare services, ranging from biomedical laboratory supplies to rapid diagnostic tests.

These services will be offered to health practitioners, as well as private and public health centres in Namibia.

Shipanga, who is the company’s executive chairman, said there are opportunities for expansion in various areas in the health sector, which could create more jobs.

“There is huge scope to create not only value but additional jobs, and it is within this context that the facility will employ Namibians,” Shipanga said.

He said another pharmaceutical distribution warehouse will open in Windhoek soon, and will offer more job opportunities to Namibians. The minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula said at the occasion that the company does not only create jobs, but also offers an opportunity for people to learn and understand the health industry.

“I am confident that with the support of Shipanga Medical Services, more jobs and more value can be created in the Namibian economy,” he noted.

Shangula said the establishment of medical services is a direct response to the government’s call for Namibians to be role-players in the health sector.

Private hospitals, medical centres, private pharmacies and public utilities should support each other without compromising on quality and standards to back local initiatives, he added.

“The request for support is not only to private sector players, but also to public utilities. I call upon them to look at how they can tailor make their policies without compromising on quality and standards to support local initiatives such as this one,” Shangula stated. Also speaking at the event was Pharmaceutical Society of Namibia president Benjamin Khumalo, who said the private and state health sectors should not always compete but work together, especially during the current economic headwinds facing the country.

“People should not laugh about the economic crisis and blame it on the government, but instead help the government overcome it,” he added.

Khumalo said this could be achieved with companies starting to invest their shares in Namibia.

The compnay invested N$20 million, while operations started in 2018.