The Department of Medical Entomology is primarily involved in the conduct of basic and applied researches on vectors of infectious diseases such as dengue, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and the like. As part of its routine services, the department rear and maintain mosquitoes for use in insecticide resistance monitoring trials, as well as identify medically-important arthropods. It also conducts entomological trainings in relation to public health.

The department is established to strengthen RITM’s research and training capability concerning vectors and other aspects of vector-borne diseases. The department undertakes evaluation and optimization of interventions for probable inclusion to the Department of Health disease control programs and provides technical assistance for the implementation of vector control strategies. The department encourages the search for novel approaches for an effective and practical community-based vector control methodologies.