Sciensano: a consortium of experts in the field of public and animal health
On 18 January 2018, the Law establishing the creation of Sciensano was adopted by the Belgian Chamber of Representatives.
Sciensano is a new institution, established under a sui generis form, resulting from the consolidation of the Institute of Public Health (the ISP – Institut de Santé Publique) and the Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (the CERVA – Centre d’Etude et de Recherches Vétérinaires et Agrochimiques).
The objective of this consortium is to establish a common organization of the missions carried out by these two federal scientific institutions in the field of health, defined by the law as covering the entire scope of public and animal health. This will allow for a more effective implementation of the missions carried out, up to this consortium and independently.
The missions that until now have been carried out by the ISP and the CERVA will be carried out by Sciensano. The latter will therefore be responsible for preparing opinions, carrying out studies and analyses aimed at protecting health, etc.
From a practical point of view, Sciensano will only be launched once the decision implementing the law will be adopted. A consortium for research in the field of public and animal health will make it possible to optimise research in the field of health, as public and animal health are closely related. In addition, such a structure is a considerable step forward at the global level, bringing together, under common management, specialists in the human and veterinary components of these major public health issues.
Associated areas of specialisation: Health and social security