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 grant-in-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 18th century 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. Stay connected with RITM: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RITMPH Twitter: https://twitter.com/RITMPH YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/RITMPH Contact details: Email address: info@ritm.gov.ph Trunkline Number: +632 807-2628 to 30
