Research Institute for Tropical Medicine

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) was conceptualized through the Philippine Executive Order (EO) 674, authorizing the Philippine Department of Health to establish a research facility within the country for health advancement and medical research. Through the efforts of the Government of Japan,the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) provided partial financial grant to the agency in the construction of the RITM. In 1989, the RITM Center for Training in Tropical Infectious Diseases was established.

The RITM is tasked by the Philippine Department of Health and the Philippine Government to supervise, plan, and successfully implement research programs to prevent and to control prevailing infectious and tropical diseases in the Philippines.

Institute Functions
The institute's primary function is to conduct researches to prevent and to control occurring tropical and other infectious diseases in the country. This includes researches involving the advancement of vaccines and medications used by medical professionals, such as physicians, nurses and medical technologists, that they utilize whenever patients they handle are under the diagnosis and treatment of infectious and treatable and curable diseases. The institute also trains medical and health workers in order to be further educated in their fields in relation to the management of tropical infectious diseases. Formulation of plans and research projects involving biological products proposed and currently utilized by the Philippine Department of Health are also covered by the functions of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, including the manufacture of biologic products and vaccines.

Related Links

 * Research Institute for Tropical Medicine Website
 * Philippine Department of Health website