80-year journey of disease prevention of the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology

On October 2, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology held a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its tradition (October 3, 1945 - October 3, 2025).

Hanoi vaccinates children against COVID-19 - Illustration photo: NAM TRAN

The ceremony was attended by Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, Deputy Ministers Do Xuan Tuyen and Nguyen Thi Lien Huong, along with representatives of the ministry's leadership, international partners and many generations of staff of the institute.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Phan Trong Lan - Director of the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology - emphasized: "Over the past 80 years, every staff member of the institute, regardless of the period, has tried their best to achieve truly proud achievements, worthy of being the leading unit in preventive medicine ."

He expressed his deep gratitude to previous generations, officials, units and organizations that have accompanied and supported the institute on its journey of construction and development.

The Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology was established on October 3, 1945. President Ho Chi Minh signed a decree transferring the Pasteur Institute in Hanoi to the Ministry of Health - starting a new mission for the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology.

From the first years associated with epidemic prevention work, the institute gradually developed through many stages: construction during the resistance war (1945 - 1954), consolidation after 1954, expansion after unification (1975 - 1985), innovation and integration (1986 - 2000), to the period 2000 - 2025 with science and technology and global epidemic response.

Mr. Lan shared about epidemic prevention, the institute is the frontline force when epidemics appear, from traditional diseases such as smallpox, cholera, polio to emerging epidemics such as SARS, A/H1N1 flu, Ebola, and especially strong support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regarding vaccines and vaccination, since the 1960s, the institute has researched and produced many essential vaccines (polio, typhoid, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, etc.), playing a key role in the Expanded Immunization Program, helping Vietnam eliminate polio in 2000 and eliminate neonatal tetanus in 2005. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has organized the injection of more than 260 million doses, with a significant contribution from the institute.

In addition, the institute has carried out thousands of research projects, many laboratories meet international standards (ISO 15189, ISO 17025, ISO 13485), many laboratories are recognized by WHO, and Vietnam is one of the first four countries to isolate the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Training thousands of doctors, masters, and preventive medicine experts; at the same time, cooperating extensively with WHO, UNICEF, CDC USA, JICA, Pasteur Institute Paris and many other organizations, helping to improve professional capacity and exchange modern techniques.

Marking its 80-year journey, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology is expected to continue to innovate, create, and be at the forefront of preventive medicine, increasingly improving public health.

WILLOW

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hanh-trinh-80-nam-phong-benh-cua-vien-ve-sinh-dich-te-trung-uong-20251002200758731.htm