Scientific Institute of Public Health (IPH), Brussels, Belgium
Contact person
Dr Germaine HanquetEpidemiology Unit
Scientific Institute of Public Health
14, J. Wytsman street
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Tel +32 2 642 50 26
Fax +32 2 64254 10
Description of the institute
The IPH is a scientific institute of the federal Belgian State. Its main mission is scientific research to support health policy. It also provides expertise and public service in the field of public health. The main activities of the IPH are related to the following fields:- Surveillance of communicable and non-communicable
diseases
- Analysis of health data
- National reference laboratories for a number of microbiological agents
- Control of federal product norms (e.g. food, pharmaceuticals, vaccines)
- Risk assessment (e.g. chemical products, genetically modified organisms)
- Environment and health
- Management of biological resources (collections of strains of microorganisms)
- National and international representation of the Belgian health authorities
The Institute has a staff of more than 500 people, one third of which are scientific personnel.
Aside from the Federal Public Ministry of Public Health, the three Communities (Flemish, French, German-speaking) and the Brussels region are responsible for public health prevention, including outbreak control, and collaborate closely with the IPH.
The Epidemiology Section is composed of about 80 persons. It is conducting surveillance on communicable and chronic diseases, population surveys, preparedness plans, epidemiological support to public health crisis, analysis of health data, health service research and assessment of environmental health risks. It is involved in many European surveillance networks and ECDC working groups.
Training opportunities
The trainee will be based in the Epidemiology Section and will be fully integrated in one of the infectious disease teams. He will be able to gain experience in different areas of communicable disease epidemiology through involvement in the following projects: the sentinel laboratory surveillance (including early warning), the surveillance of vaccine preventable disease (network of paediatricians), the surveillance of health care associated infections and microbiological resistance, the AIDS and HIV register, preparedness plans and outbreak investigations. A cell for “crisis intervention” provides opportunities for epidemiological support in public health crisis, in collaboration with the federal and local health departments (Communities). Through collaboration with these programmes, Belgian universities, Communities or other units of the Institute, the trainee may be involved in the following projects or activities:- Outbreak investigations
- Developing new components for existing surveillance systems
- Evaluation of surveillance systems
- Conducting time series analysis and developing early warning tools
- Developing research projects on a relevant public health issue (e.g. food borne diseases)
- Assist health authorities in vaccine policies and post-license surveillance
- Participate in international surveillance networks and studies
All necessary support, including up-to-date computer equipment, communication and library facilities are available. The trainee will have access to all the information and databases.
Training supervision
A trained epidemiologist will closely supervise the trainee. The head of Section will provide advanced epidemiological and statistical support, statistician is available for technical support.Language requirements
Within the Institute, many activities can be performed in English. Nevertheless, it is necessary that has conversational ability in either French or Dutch, or both, to be able to operate in outbreak investigations or research with national partners.Training history
Number of EPIET fellows trained at institute: Five (1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2008)Number of EPIET alumni working at institute: None.
Available as a training site for cohort 14: Yes