History
THL’s roots stretch back through 200 years of Finnish history
At least some Finns will remember when the National Institute for Health and Welfare began operating at the beginning of 2009. At that time, two major state institutions, the Public Health Institute (KTL) and the National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, i.e. Stakes, merged to form a new expert and research agency. The new agency had an exceptionally broad and varied remit in international terms.
But how many people are aware of the number of name changes, mergers and reorganisations that led to the formation of the KTL and Stakes?
From State Serum Institute to Public Health Institute
The Public Health Institute was created in 1982 when the Public Health Laboratory changed its name and broadened its range of duties. The Laboratory developed into an institute specialising in research and analysis.
The Public Health Laboratory was established in 1970, when seven regional laboratories were merged with the renamed State Serum Institute.
The State Serum Institute had been opened as long ago as 1911. At the end of the 1950s, the institute's offices were built in the old premises next to THL’s current main building at Mannerheimintie 166. The Finnish Medical Society Duodecim had presented the National Board of Health with the initiative for this in 1906.
National Board of Health precedes Stakes
Stakes was formed in December 1992, when the National Board on Social and Health Affairs was wound up after just one a half years. The National Board on Social and Health Affairs had been founded in March 1991, through a merger between the National Board of Health and National Board of Social Welfare.
The National Board of Social Welfare was established for the first time in 1918, but was abolished in 1922 when its duties were transferred to the Ministry. A new National Board of Social Welfare was established in 1968.
The National Board of Health was one of Finland’s oldest public sector agencies. It operated under various names between 1811 and 1991. The earliest predecessor or the National Board of Health was the Collegium Medicum, formed by five professors of the Royal Academy of Turku. In 1827, a Senior Director was appointed to lead the college and the Imperial Medication Board was created. In 1878, its name was shortened to the National Board of Health, which continued operating until 1991.
In other words, the current National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) is the result of a series of reorganisations of older agencies. So there is nothing new or unusual about it.
