Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura delivered an inspirational message during the 30 th anniversary celebration of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). The ceremony was held at the Crown Plaza Galleria on April 26, 2011. Present during the celebration were Department of Health Assistant Secretary Enrique Tayag, Dr. Woojin Lew from World Health Organization in the Philippines , Philippine Council for Health Research and Development Executive Director Jaime C. Montoya as well as RITM Director Remigio Olveda.
The RITM, as a national research institute for tropical infectious diseases, was established in Alabang, Muntinglupa City on April 1981, which was supported by a grant aid from the Government of Japan. In 1987, subsequent grant assistance from Japan paved the way for the construction of the training center and the residence hall as well as the provision of training equipment. In 2002, Japan further extended its assistance for the establishment of the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRL). These facilities have dramatically improved the functions of the RITM as a center and catalyst for training on infectious and tropical diseases not only for Filipinos but also for health specialists from other ASEAN nations.
Over the years, Japan has also dispatched medical specialists to the RITM and conducted joint research studies with the Institution. S ince 2008, Japan 's Tohoku University and the RITM have conducted a joint research project on the “Japan Institute for Global Research Network on Infectious Diseases (J-GRID)”. Furthermore, this year, both the Tohoku University and the RITM have started another joint research project on ”Comprehensive Epilogical and Epidemiological Study on Acute Respiratory Infections in Children, providing evidence for the prevention and control of childhood pneumonia in the Philippines”.
Through its steadfast efforts, the RITM has provided significant contribution to the prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases in the Philippines . RITM played a vital role for the diagnoses and management of the SARS outbreak in 2003. This commendable work was truly beneficial to the containment of SARS transmission in the country. In addition, Japan 's ODA assisted the installation of negative pressure air handling systems at the Institute's hospital facility during this critical period. Furthermore, the RITM has been designated as a national referral center and national reference laboratory for SARS, pandemic influenza and other emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases due to its sophisticated and state-of-the-art facilities. In 2009, during the outbreak of H1N1, the RITM also played a significant role as a national reference laboratory.
Director Olveda mentioned the long history of the RITM and also expressed gratitude for the Japanese ODA assistance to the Institute. DOH Assistant Secretary Tayag, meanwhile noted the important role of RITM on infectious diseases, particularly the achievement of MDG 2015.
In his speech, Ambassador Katsura cited that the 30 year -history of the RITM is a concrete manifestation of more than five decades of continuing friendship and mutual cooperation between Japan and the Philippines in the areas of prevention and control of emerging and re-emerging infectious and tropical diseases. “The cooperation in these areas serves to enhance directly the “human security” of the people in the region, and plays a significant role in fostering a strategic partnership between our two countries. To better address the global threats of infectious and other diseases and to bring about a safer environment for our future generations, they should carry on.”
Speech of Ambassador Makoto Katsura
Japanese Version
