Sciensano is a research center and the National Institute of Public Health in Belgium . As such, it is a scientific institution that works under the authority of the Federal Minister of Public Health and the Minister of Agriculture. 

Sciensano's scientific activity is developed around six areas of action:

• the Health and Environment  ;
• the consumption and food security  ;
• Health and disease surveillance;
• The quality of health care;
• The animal health  ;
• The quality of medical laboratories , the efficacy and safety of vaccines, drugs and other health products.