The National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL), through its Learning and Development Section (LDS), capacitated 37 laboratory personnel from 15 identified facilities to perform Xpert MTB/XDR testing in their respective Rapid TB Diagnostic Laboratory (RTDL) last March 14-15, 2023 via Zoom. The Training on Xpert MTB/XDR utilized a distant learning approach composed of two half-day didactics continue reading : NTRL expands capacity for Xpert MTB/XDR testing

RITM talks genomic sequencing with Doherty Institute
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) hosted a site visit for the experts from the Centre for Pathogen Genomics of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) last February 14, 2023. According to Doherty Institute Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory Director Prof. Ben Howden, their team was tapped by the continue reading : RITM talks genomic sequencing with Doherty Institute

RITM COVID-19 Achievement Report
The COVID-19 Achievement Report chronicles the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) response to the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2021. At the forefront of the country’s response to emerging infectious diseases, both in terms of laboratory and patient care services, the first cases of COVID-19 were admitted at the Institute, and other hospitals follow continue reading : RITM COVID-19 Achievement Report

RITM, Director Carlos awarded as AMR champion
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and Director Dr. Celia C. Carlos were recognized in the 2022 Philippine World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (PAAW) Culminating Activity and High-Level Media Forum in Seda Vertis North Hotel, Quezon City last November 22, 2022. The Department of Health (DOH) and World Health Organization (WHO) awarded RITM with a continue reading : RITM, Director Carlos awarded as AMR champion

RITM completes ISO audit with zero nonconformities
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) successfully maintained its existing certification of the ISO 9001:2015 standard with zero nonconformities in its first surveillance audit from November 14 to 15, 2022. RITM’s ISO certification covers the provision of administrative, medical and laboratory services, biologicals production, research and development including knowledge and technology transfer. TÜV Rheinland continue reading : RITM completes ISO audit with zero nonconformities

RITM kicks off IPC Week 2022, celebrates 50 years of Infection Prevention
To celebrate 50 years of Infection Prevention, the Infection Prevention and Control Unit (IPCU) of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) hosted an online conference bannering the theme “IPC Today and Hereafter: A Webinar Conference” last October 19, 2022 via Zoom. “The IPCU of RITM together with the Management has always put a premium continue reading : RITM kicks off IPC Week 2022, celebrates 50 years of Infection Prevention

NTRL, BD equip TB staff on Liquid Culture and DST using MGIT
The National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) Learning and Development Section (LDS), in collaboration with Becton Dickinson (BD), capacitated staff from the TB Laboratory Network on liquid culture and Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) using Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) 960 last October 17 to 21, 2022 at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). TB Laboratory continue reading : NTRL, BD equip TB staff on Liquid Culture and DST using MGIT

NTRL capacitates 7 trainers on TB Smear Microscopy
The National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL), through its Learning and Development Section (LDS) capacitated seven (7) staff from the TB Laboratory Network in its recent Training of Trainers on TB Smear Microscopy (SM-TOT) last October 10-14, 2022 at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). The participants, who represented the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Bicol continue reading : NTRL capacitates 7 trainers on TB Smear Microscopy

RITM certifies 2 TB Smear Microscopy Trainers from Central Luzon
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), through its National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL) certified two (2) participants from their Training of Trainers on TB Smear Microscopy (SM-TOT) course for the successful completion of their preceptorship last September 26-30, 2022. The two (2) TOT-trained participants from the Department of Health (DOH) Central Luzon Center for continue reading : RITM certifies 2 TB Smear Microscopy Trainers from Central Luzon

RITM strengthens its sequencing capacity
Laboratory personnel from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) successfully passed the training on next-generation sequencing (NGS) hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) at RITM from September 19-23, 2022. Eight (8) RITM laboratory personnel – three (3) from the Molecular Biology Laboratory (MBL) and five (5) from the Philippine National Influenza Center (PNIC) continue reading : RITM strengthens its sequencing capacity