TheResearch Institute for

Tropical Medicine(RITM) was

conceptualized through the Philippine
Executive Order (EO) 674, authorizing
the PhilippineDepartment of Health
to establish a research facility within
the country for health advancement
and medical research. Through the
efforts of theGovernment of Japan,
the
Japan International Cooperation Agen
cy
(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 Healthand the
Philippine Governmentto supervise,
plan, and successfully implement
research programs to prevent and to

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 Healthare also

Research Institute for Tropical

MedicineGeographyLocation
MuntinlupaCity,
PhilippinesOrganisationCare system
Public Tertiary;
Philippine Health Insurance Corporati
on
(PhilHealth) accreditedHospital type
SpecialistServicesStandards
Department of Health (Philippines)
Beds35SpecialtyTropical Infectious
DiseasesHistoryFounded1989LinksWe
bsitewww.ritm.gov.phLists
Hospitals in Philippines

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine was formally established

in 1981 with the signing of E.O. 674, authorizing the creation of a
research facility under the Department of Health. This was funded
by a grant-in-aid from the Government of Japan, administered
through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The RITM
is tasked with planning and implementing research programs for
infectious and/or tropical diseases. In 1989, through another grantin-aid from the Japanese Government, the RITM Center for Training
in Tropical Infectious Diseases was established for the expansion and
integration of the RITM core facilities.
In November 2000, the Biologicals Production Service (BPS) of the
Department of Health was formally merged with the RITM. The
history of BPS dates back in the 18thcentury under the Spanish
Regime when King Charles IV sent a scientific mission to the
Philippines. The objective of the mission was to look into the
smallpox problem in the Philippines. The mission established the
vaccine laboratory in the country with smallpox vaccine as the first
product. The vaccine laboratory was later expanded to produce
other vaccines as well as anti-sera.
The merger of RITM and BPS gave rise to a more comprehensive and
logical approach in the control of infectious and/or tropical diseases
through research and biologicals production.

Undertake research activities in the diagnosis, control and

prevention of tropical diseases that are major causes of mortality
and morbidity in the Philippines.
Develop cost-effective strategies for the control of infectious/tropical
diseases.
Conduct clinical trials, according to accepted good clinical practice
(GCP) guidelines, aimed at better understanding and control of
tropical diseases.
Conduct regular training courses for medical and paramedical
personnel in the control of common tropical diseases in the country.
Provide high quality tertiary care to both in-patients and out-patients
suffering from tropical diseases included within the scope of the
Institute's research activities.
Participate in the technical cooperation programs with foreign
government in research activities in the diagnosis, control and
prevention of tropical diseases.
Apply for, receive, and accept bequests, grants, and donation of
funds, equipment, materials and services needed for the attainment
of its objectives.
Formulate plans of manufacturing of biological products for use of
DOH
Manufacture of vaccines and biological products for use of DOH
Plan and execute research and development for the improvement of
existing biological tests vaccines and anti-sera for human use
according to accepted standards of current/certified good
manufacturing practices (CGMP)
Perform such other related activities as may be assigned by the
Secretary of Health.

Research and Training

Thecore research facilitiesof RITM housed in a two-storey building
and are designed for the diagnosis of infectious and tropical
diseases. The Institute is equipped with ample technical support for
the conduct of valid and reliable scientific investigations. It also has
the equipment support need to undertake its varied research
activities. The following are the research core laboratories: 1)
monoclonal and cell culture; 2) immunofluorescence; 3) scanning
and electron microscopy; 4) high pressure liquid chromatography; 5)
virology, bacteriology, mycobacteriology and parasitology
examinations; 6) laboratory and field diagnosis of mosquito-borne
diseases; and 7) molecular biology. It has a 35-bed research hospital
consisting of an ICU, wards and isolation rooms. The hospital
provides care of patients needing tertiary management of infectious
and/or tropical diseases. The research hospital has a clinical and a
blood-banking laboratory. The major units of the Institute are
connected by a local area network having a core facility for Internet
use.
The Center of Training in Tropical Infectious Diseases (TC or training
center) is a two-storey building with the following facilities: 1)
Conference Theater this facility is a 250 person capacity
auditorium ideal for use in plenary sessions during seminars and
conferences. It has audio-visual equipments such as LCD projector
and extra wide projection screen; 2) Laboratories the TC has a
laboratory for hands-on training and is provided with basic
equipments required for the conduct of research and training in
bacteriology, virology, parasitology, biochemistry and tissue culture;
3) Lecture rooms there are three lecture rooms; each can
accommodate 30-40 persons, capable of combining to
accommodate 70 persons; 4) Dormitory this facility is used by inhouse staff and trainees which includes single, double and
quadruple occupancy rooms (air-conditioning is limited only to single
and double occupancy faculty/visiting researcher rooms); and 5)
Dining hall a self-service canteen which can accommodate about
100-110 persons.
Biologicals Production
Thisfacilitywas designed to meet "good manufacturing practice"
standards for the production of selected vaccines for local use as
well packaging of filled vaccine vials from bulk.

Services and programs

Offers free HIV testing and pre/post counseling. Test results are
available within 3 hours
Other details
New clinic schedule effective 20 Oct 2014. Mon Fri: 7:00am to
4:00pm (cut off 2:00pm). Blood extraction for CD4. Mon Fri
(except Wed) 7:00am (cut off 8:30am)
ARV Refill Hotline +63917 714 6962. Mon-Fri 8:00am to 2:00pm
(No weekends/holidays). Look for Ms Lyn or Ms Maram. ARV refills
are ready for pickup 24/7 at ARG Pharmacy after 24 hrs.
Pharmacist will ask for your orange card and ARG code

Hours: Mon, Thu, Fri & Sat: 11:00am to 7:00pm

(cut off: 5:30pm) | Sun: 9:00am to 4:00pm (cut off:
2:00pm) | Tue & Wed: CLOSED
CUT OFF time when the last client can be tested
so the results can be released on the same day
Services and programs
Free HIV testing and counseling in 2 hours or so,
uses both Rapid & Particle Agglutination HIV Tests
of up to 99% accuracy (you no longer need to wait
for a confirmatory result (Western Blot Test in 2-3
weeks), dermatology clinic, OB-Gynecology and
Infectious Diseases / STD testing and consultation
http://goo.gl/DSIUCh