2018, improving its capacity to conduct research on higher-risk bacteria and viruses. COVID-19 pandemic During the COVID-19 pandemic, the RITM became a site for preliminary testing for suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 in the Philippines. In the early months of the pandemic in the Philippines, RITM was the only laboratory with the capacity to test COVID-19 cases. Institute functions The RITM is tasked by the Philippine Department of Health and the Philippine Government to supervise, plan, and successfully implement research programs to prevent and to control prevailing infectious and tropical diseases in the Philippines. This includes research 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 Health are also covered by the functions of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, including the manufacture of biologic products and vaccines. See also Infectious disease (medical specialty) Medical microbiology Tropical medicine Tropical nursing Rural health List of hospitals in the Philippines References External links Department of Health Philippines website RITM Training Courses Tropical medicine organizations Infectious disease organizations Medical research institutes in the Philippines Health in Metro Manila Research institutes in Metro Manila Hospitals in Metro Manila Buildings and structures in Muntinlupa Japan–Philippines relations Establishments by Philippine executive order