RITM Expansion to Strengthen Infectious Disease Surveillance in the Philippines

By HospitalNews.ph | April 2025

The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM)—a pillar of the Philippines’ infectious disease response—is set to undergo a long-awaited modernization and expansion in 2025, aligning with the country’s efforts to boost health security and pandemic preparedness.

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) jointly announced that substantial funding will be allocated for the rehabilitation and strengthening of RITM’s facilities, laboratory networks, and regional reach. The move is a response to the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the growing global threat of emerging infectious diseases.

“RITM played a critical role during the pandemic. This expansion ensures that we don’t just recover—but build a system that’s smarter, faster, and more resilient,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

A Legacy of Medical Excellence

Established in 1981, RITM serves as the country’s national reference laboratory for infectious and tropical diseases. From handling the country's earliest COVID-19 tests to researching novel pathogens, the institute has been at the forefront of disease detection and public health strategy.

The upcoming expansion includes:

• Modernization of laboratory equipment and testing capacity

• Improved biosafety infrastructure

• Establishment of regional satellite laboratories

• Expanded research, training, and surveillance programs

With the new resources, RITM will be able to scale up testing capacity during outbreaks, speed up the identification of novel diseases, and decentralize diagnostic capabilities to better serve rural areas.

Regional Impact and Workforce Boost

The development plan also aims to improve RITM’s workforce training and talent retention, attracting more Filipino infectious disease experts, lab scientists, and data analysts. By investing in regional laboratories, the DOH hopes to create a more agile disease surveillance network that can rapidly respond to health emergencies nationwide.

“Every Filipino deserves access to accurate diagnostics and timely health response—regardless of where they live,” said DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman.

The expansion comes amid heightened global conversations about One Health, the integrated approach that considers human, animal, and environmental health in preventing disease outbreaks.

What It Means for the Philippines

Strengthening RITM is not just about expanding a single institute—it is about future-proofing the national healthcare system. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in surveillance, diagnostics, and response times. With these improvements, the Philippines moves toward a more robust infrastructure for disease prevention and control.

For healthcare workers, researchers, and policymakers, this signals new opportunities for innovation, capacity-building, and collaboration. For everyday Filipinos, it means safer communities and faster action during health crises.

The government has committed to ensuring that the project remains transparent and inclusive, with updates to be shared in public forums and medical networks.

Looking Ahead

The RITM expansion is expected to roll out in phases beginning mid-2025, with full completion anticipated by 2027. As the Philippines looks to a healthier, safer future, investments like these are a bold step toward national resilience in healthcare.