Our History
Our History
Embedded Files
After over a decade of negotiations between the Philippines and Japan, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) was established in 1981 through a grant-in-aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Since 1981, the Institute has been designated as the research arm of the Department of Health (DOH) for the diagnosis, prevention, and control of infectious diseases in the Philippines.
After over a decade of negotiations between the Philippines and Japan, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) was established in 1981 through a grant-in-aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Since 1981, the Institute has been designated as the research arm of the Department of Health (DOH) for the diagnosis, prevention, and control of infectious diseases in the Philippines.
Introduction
Introduction
Four (4) decades since RITM's establishment, the Institute continues to be the country’s lead agency in the curtailment of infectious disease outbreaks in the country, and is now recognized as a robust and resilient health force engaged in infectious disease research, clinical care and diagnosis, laboratory services, biologicals production, and capacity development.
RITM produces scientific publications that influence national policies on public health. The Institute’s pool of infectious disease experts collaborates with local and international partners for continuous knowledge sharing.
Apart from being a key authority on infectious disease research in the country, RITM is also designated as an infectious disease referral hospital. The facilities of the Institute remain adequate for containment of pathogens of public health concern, and its roster of highly skilled health care personnel are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage patients affected by infectious diseases.
Moreover, the Institute plays a crucial role in the DOH national disease control programs through the operations of the 18 National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) stationed in RITM. These NRLs are high-level laboratories that generate surveillance data that inform scientific publications, and perform confirmatory testing, quality assurance, and reference diagnostic services for infectious diseases.
RITM is also recognized as a manufacturing facility for vaccines and biologicals. In fact, the Institute is the sole manufacturer of the Purified Cobra Antivenin (PCAV) in the country – a powerful cure to the venomous bite of the Philippine cobra. In the future, RITM aims to develop more biologicals that will contribute to the eradication of vaccine-preventable diseases in the Philippines.
Lastly, RITM regularly capacitates health care personnel across the country to disseminate latest scientific information relevant to the diagnosis, prevention, and control of infectious diseases. These trainings facilitated by RITM ensure harmonization of skills among health responders.
Core Principles
Core Principles
Vision
The national public health institute for the prevention, management, and control of infectious and tropical diseases by 2028.
Mission
Protect Filipinos against infectious diseases through the conduct of globally competitive research, training, clinical and diagnostic services, and production of biologicals.
Core Values
Excellence, Compassion, Integrity, Unity
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