The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the home of the research units of the University of the Philippines Manila, the country’s lead health research and development hub in the Health Sciences Center of the UP System. With “Health for All” as its thrust, the NIH develops outputs that serve as vital guideposts in shaping national health programs and policies.

The objectives of the NIH are: (1) to promote science and technology research and development in the field of health; (2) to promote the development of study groups and research programs; (3) to establish mechanisms for the dissemination and utilization of research outputs; (4) to complement graduate programs and faculty research human resource training in UP Manila; and (5) to ensure that the results of health research and development activities are utilized to improve the health of the people.

As a recognized authority in health research and development, the NIH seeks to influence policymakers in enacting health laws, policies, and guidelines for health care delivery improvement; contribute to enhancing the knowledge and skills of health professionals; develop and strengthen the capabilities of health researchers and research institutions, and lead in the formulation of the national health research agenda through the framework of “Partnerships for Better Health, Science for Humanity.”

Dr. Marissa M. Alejandria, MSc, FPCP, FPSMID

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) at the University of the Philippines Manila serves as the Philippines’ premier health research and development institution, advancing scientific evidence that informs national health policy and programs. It embodies the culmination of the university’s longstanding role in health sciences, building on decades of research excellence in medicine, public health, and allied sciences. With a guiding vision of “Health for All,” the NIH fosters scholarship, discovery, innovation, and collaboration that shape local and national health outcomes.

Although formally established in 1996, UP Manila’s engagement in health research predates the NIH. Prior to its creation, the University already housed several research institutes—such as the Institute of Ophthalmology, Institute of Socio-Biomedical Research, and Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology—whose work contributed to scientific and health advancements in the country. These institutes laid a strong foundation for an integrated health research system by producing high-quality evidence in specialized fields.

On January 26, 1996, the UP Board of Regents officially created the NIH to strengthen and coordinate UP Manila’s health research capacity, enhance interdisciplinary work, and elevate the University’s contribution to national health science. The establishment of the NIH reinforced UP Manila’s reputation not only as an academic leader in medical and public health education, but also as a central research hub, complementary to its clinical service arm, the Philippine General Hospital. The NIH aimed to develop researchers with enhanced skills in teaching, investigation, publication, and technology application, alongside nurturing links with national agencies such as the Department of Health and the Department of Science and Technology.

The NIH’s mission gained formal legislative backing with the passage of Republic Act No. 8503, known as the Health Research and Development Act of 1998, signed by then President Fidel V. Ramos. This law declared the NIH the coordinating body for health research in UP Manila and enabled the expansion of research programs across a wider spectrum of health concerns. By strengthening institutional structures, RA 8503 broadened both the quality and reach of NIH-led research.

Following its legal institutionalization, the NIH reorganized its institutes under thematic clusters that addressed major areas such as health products, disease prevention and control, gerontology and disabilities, and social studies in health care systems. Over the years, the NIH expanded its portfolio to include study groups and programs that tackle pressing health issues—from infectious diseases to health systems strengthening.

In 2013, the NIH became one of the four core agencies of the Philippine National Health Research System (PNHRS), aligning its work with internationally recognized principles of inclusiveness, quality, equity, and effectiveness in health research. It has also been designated as a Training Center for Health Research Ethics and Good Clinical Practice by global bodies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and regional ethics forums, reinforcing the NIH’s role in research training and ethical governance.

Over the past decades, NIH research has influenced major public health policy and legislation in the Philippines, contributing to landmark laws such as the Newborn Screening Act (RA 9288), the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Act (RA 9709), the Rare Disease Act (RA 10747), and the National Vision Screening Act (RA 11358). Its research outputs have also led to innovations such as affordable diagnostic technologies, herbal medicines, telemedicine tools like the RxBox, and contributions to pandemic response strategies such as the COVID-19 diagnostic kit and the Philippine COVID-19 Living Guidelines.

Today, the NIH has 11 Institutes and five Centers which continuously work together to fulfill its mandate of advancing the country’s health research and development in response to the health needs of the country.

Mission
To be a major resource center for health research and capability-building, using the framework of “Partnerships for Better Health”

Vision
To be the country’s recognized authority in health research and development and the key source of critical health information for national development in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

Science for Humanity, Integrity, Excellence

1. UP Manila ISO 9001:2015 TUV-NORD
2. IHG ISO (2024 version with reissue 2025)
3. IHG License to Operate
4. NSRC ISO 9001:2015 Certification
5. Central Laboratory - License to Operate

1. Institute of Child Health and Human Development
2. Institute of Clinical Epidemiology
3. Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies
4. Institute of Herbal Medicine
5. Institute of Human Genetics
6. Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences
7. Institute on Aging
8. National Center for Biosafety and Biosecurity
9. National Clinical Trials and Translation Center
10. National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
11. National Telehealth Center
12. Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center
13. Newborn Screening Reference Center
14. Philippine Eye Research Institute
15. Philippine National Ear Institute

Services offered per Institute can be accessed here.

NIH Central Laboratory

The NIH Central Laboratory operates under the management of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB), one of the research institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the University of the Philippines Manila. The NIH Central Laboratory is a shared, multi-user research facility designed to support advanced biomedical and molecular research. It functions as a core laboratory that provides access to equipment, technical expertise, and specialized services to researchers from various institutes and colleges. The NIH Central Laboratory enhances research productivity, ensures proper equipment maintenance, and fosters collaboration among NIH institutes and UP Manila constituents.

External users may request access for research projects, thesis or dissertation work, academic training, validation studies, and other scholarly activities.This initiative supports collaborative research, academic advancement, and capacity building by providing access to specialized laboratory instruments, technical workspaces, and core laboratory services that may not be readily available in other institutions.

All requests are evaluated based on availability, technical feasibility, compliance with biosafety and ethical standards, and alignment with institutional guidelines. Approved users are required to adhere strictly to laboratory safety protocols, operational procedures, scheduling systems, and applicable rental fees and administrative requirements.

Through this mechanism, the NIH Central Laboratory promotes inter-institutional collaboration, efficient utilization of scientific resources, and the advancement of research and academic excellence.