RITM gets P46 million COVID-19 equipment

MANILA, Philippines — The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) has received laboratory equipment and medical supplies from Japan amounting to P46 million to help the Philippines in its COVID-19 recovery efforts.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the international development arm of the Japanese government, turned over a pharmaceutical refrigerator, an automated immunoassay analyzer, freezers and other medical equipment to the RITM on March 24.

Japanese Ambassador Koshikawa Kazuhiko turned over the donation during a ceremony attended by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, RITM director Celia Carlos and JICA chief representative Sakamoto Takema.

The laboratory equipment and medical supplies are part of Japan’s aid to help the Philippines in its battle against COVID-19.

The grant, which involves the provision of cutting edge medical equipment such as automated DNA extraction machines, biosafety cabinet, RT-PCR machines and reagents, will strengthen the detection, testing, treatment and management not only of COVID-19 but other infectious diseases as well.

Koshikawa said for more than 40 years after the RITM’s establishment with Japan’s support, the institute has been an indispensable core institution in the health sector.

Since the SARS-CoV outbreak 20 years ago until the COVID-19 pandemic, the RITM continues to play a pivotal role by ensuring that public and private laboratories nationwide provide accurate results.

The medical supplies will equip the RITM in the conduct of advanced research and improve its productivity as a center for excellence on infectious and tropical diseases.