The Bureau of Public Health (BOG) in Suriname marked its 98th anniversary on November 18, coinciding with the soft opening of its new headquarters. The event, attended by Health Minister André Misiekaba, highlighted the organization’s pivotal role in the nation’s preventive healthcare system. Minister Misiekaba emphasized that the new building symbolizes BOG’s readiness to confidently embrace the future. ‘This is tangible proof that BOG not only honors its past but is also stepping into the future with conviction,’ he stated. The minister underscored BOG’s foundational role in Suriname’s public health, particularly its Central Laboratory, which played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic as the first in the Caribbean to initiate COVID-19 diagnostic capabilities. ‘This achievement was no coincidence but the result of years of dedication,’ Misiekaba added. The new facility, coupled with internal relocations, lays a solid foundation for the decades ahead. The minister also announced an ambitious shift in BOG’s mission, aiming to transform it into Suriname’s leading National Knowledge and Research Institute for Public Health. ‘We are entering a new phase where we will no longer settle for merely recording diseases. BOG must become the intellectual engine behind public health,’ he declared. Acting Director Radjesh Ori reflected on BOG’s evolution over the years, noting its indispensable role in society. ’98 years is a respectable age. BOG has become a household name and is irreplaceable,’ Ori remarked. Minister Misiekaba concluded by emphasizing that true change lies not in infrastructure but in the dedication and expertise of BOG’s staff. Despite ongoing public health challenges, he expressed confidence in the team’s ability to drive scientific transformation. ‘If we embrace this scientific shift, the results—a healthier and more productive Suriname—will be well worth it,’ he said, calling for collective ambition and collaboration to make BOG a proud cornerstone of Surinamese science and public health.