The National Institute of Hygiene (l’Institut National d’Hygiene, INH) was established in 1967 by the Togolese State with support from the German government with renovations completed in 2002 with assistance from the French Development Agency. 

INH is the national reference laboratory for surveillance of diseases with epidemic potential. It is an autonomous department of the Division of Laboratories (DL), in the ministry’s Directorate of Pharmacy, Laboratory, and Technical Equipment (DPLET). The staff of 72 includes 47 technical personnel. The only two senior-level biologists are the INH director and deputy director. Situated in a modest facility built in 1967, INH includes five clinical laboratories -- bacteriology, biochemistry, hematology, parasitology, and serology -- plus two laboratories for food and water analysis and a vaccination unit. Financial support derives from the government (39%), fees for service (58%), and partners (3%).

Between 1990 and 2000,  human rights concerns and government instability led to dramatic reductions in foreign aid, deterioration of infrastructure, depreciation of equipment, and exodus of staff. With help from the French Development Agency, the plant was refitted, INH was allocated a working budget, and the institute began to recover its capacity. Nonetheless, laboratories are still crowded, poorly equipped, and in poor condition, especially compared to those of the directly funded vertical programs. Some laboratory renovation projects have begun but have not been completed due to lack of resources.

While relatively weak in infrastructure and resources, INH has many strengths. Key among these are strong and committed leadership, a history of successful multidisciplinary collaboration with the Department of Epidemiology and other MOH divisions, good relationships with other institutes throughout the region, strong team spirit, young and energetic staff, and recent investments by partners.

In January 2009, INH issued a Health Development Plan for 2009-2013 that identified priorities for strengthening the institute’s organization and management to help combat disease and improve health outcomes. Subsequently, the Minister of Health announced plans for an organizational audit, identified INH as the government’s designated agency for public health leadership and the focal point for development of an NPHI in Togo, and drafted a statute that changes the name of INH to Institut National du Santé Publique (INSP), or national institute of public health. INSP will combine the missions, resources, and staff of INH and Department of Epidemiology.