The Medical Scientific Institute was proclaimed as a result of an agreement signed on April 22, 1966 between the Minister of Education and Community Development of Suriname, mr. Albert Cameron and the Deputy Chairman of the Governing Board of the University of Leiden, Mr. J.A.L.M. Loeff. The first brick of the Medical Scientific Institute was laid on Saturday, September 27, 1969 at 10:30 am by Mr. Barend W. Biesheuvel.

The Board of the MWI in formation was composed as follows:
Mr. Barend W. Biesheuvel, Chairman
Dr. Standley M. Bellot (Suriname)
Dr. Rudy W. Jessurun (Suriname)
Prof. Dr. Johann R. von Ronnen (Leiden)
Prof. Dr. Jacobus D. Verlinde (Leiden)

On Monday, September 4, 1972, the deed was passed in the office of the Minister of Education and Community Development, as a result of which the Medical Scientific Institute was established. The official opening took place on Saturday June 30, 1973 by Mr. Barend W. Biesheuvel, but at the start of the academic year 1972/1973 of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the facilities of the Institute were already being used.

The first Board of the Medical Scientific Institute took office on November 24, 1972 and consisted of:
Mr. Henry (Hein) L. de Vries, Chairman
Prof. Mr. Herman H. Maas (State University Leiden)
Mr. Maarten D. van Wolferen (State University Leiden)
Mr. C.J. Zwarts (Faculty of Medical Sciences Leiden)
Mr. Olivier van der Geld (Vice-President Court of Justice – Suriname)
Mr. Maurits G. de Miranda (Attorney General – Suriname)
Drs. Pretaapnarain S.R. Radakishun (Director Secondary Higher Education – Suriname)

Dr. J.L.M. Lelyveld was appointed as the first Director of the Institute.

Directors 1972 – present
Dr. J.L.M. Lelyveld
Prof. Dr. Edwin Wijngaarde
Drs. Pretaapnarain S.R. Radhakishun
Drs. Wim A. van Kanten
Drs. Wim Bakker
Prof. Dr. Rudi F. M. Lai A Fat
Drs. H. Marcel Tjon Jaw Chong MPH
Ir. Richard A. Mac Donald
Prof. Dr. Roy S. Panday
Nicolaas B. de Bel MSc MBA MPM
Drs. Bernadette M. Sabajo-Cederboom Msc.
Drs. Radjesh J. Ramadhin Msc.