From ISET to INDRE III. Sanitary and Tropical Diseases Institute: crisis and renewal, 1965-1989

Abstract

This paper analyzes the situation and the changes made in the Institute of Sanitary and Tropical Diseases between 1965 and 1989 to become the National Institute of Epidemiological Diagnosis and Reference. Three major stages are identified during this period: crisis, transition and renewal. The factors that led to the crisis, the decisions made to overcome it and to harmonize the work of laboratories with epidemiological and public health criteria are discussed. The recognition obtained by researchers of the Institute despite the crisis is described, as well as the way the institution managed to continue with projects despite the changing global situation. The transition included the arrival of a new generation of professionals with modern computer-based and conceptual tools and the remarkably well met challenge of participating in national surveys with rigorous criteria. All this moved the institution to define its profile towards diagnosis and reference.