Instituto Nacional de Salud "Samper-Martínez" (INS) is a public establishment with its own administrative and financial autonomy under the Ministry of Social Protection. It is a member of the Health System and National System of Science and Technology.  INS functions are to:

• Coordinate, implement, and conduct scientific research in health and biomedicine in accordance with the policies, plans, and guidelines of the Ministry of Social Protection
• Advise, coordinate, implement, and manage programs and projects in scientific research and technological development in health
• Advise the national government and local authorities in determining policies, plans, and projects of scientific research and technological development in health
• Participate in planning, development, and coordination of information systems in health and epidemiologic surveillance, in coordination with the Ministry of Social Protection
• Coordinate, advise, and oversee the national network of laboratories and serve as a national health reference laboratory
• Promote and conduct advanced training activities for personnel in the areas of scientific and technical competence