The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine of the Department of Health is the country’s center or infectious and tropical diseases, with expertise in research, laboratpry diagnosis, training, health care, and biologicals production.

Established in 1981 with the signing of E.O. 674 and funded by a grant-in-aid from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), RITM was initially created as a biomedical research facility tasked with undertaking research activities in the diagnosis, control, and prevention of infectious and tropical diseases; and providing high quality tertiary care for patients suffering from infectious and tropical diseases.

In 1989, through the establishment of the RITM Center for Training in Tropical Infectious Diseases, RITM’s mandate was expanded to include improving the competence of the country’s health workers. RITM was also assigned as the National Reference Laboratory for most infectious and tropical diseases in 2000. In the same year, the Biologicals Production Service (BPS) of the DOH was formally merged with the RITM, adding development and production of biologicals and vaccines to RITM’s wide array of expertise.

We collaborate with local and international research and academic institutions for exchange of scientific expertise and to help strengthen our capacity to respond to infectious disease threats. At the core of RITM is its more than 1000-strong workforce, composed of people with diverse backgrounds and expertise, all committed to the vision of protecting every Filipino from infectious and tropical diseases.

Download the RITM Briefer here.