Institute of Tropical Medicine
Global Science for Health Worldwide
Tropical diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and inadequate health care affect the lives of billions of people worldwide.
Established in 1906, the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp (Belgium) strives for the advancement of science and health for all, through innovative research, advanced education, professional medical services and capacity sharing with partner institutions in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We aim to reduce the impact of diseases and health issues on populations globally.
For us, scientific excellence and societal impact are two sides of the same coin.
Highlights
Say “no” to HIV stigma
1 December is World AIDS Day. Take part in our U=U quiz against HIV stigma, spin the wheel and win one of our beautiful safe space tote bags. We will be present at ITM and Antwerp University Hospital.
Help us win the Heritage Challenge
Our water basin (in front of our clinic) has been nominated for the Heritage Challenge by KIK and the Nationale Loterij! Help us bring water and life back to this historic basin.
Podcast season 3 out now!
Listen to The Road to Zero, the third season of our award-winning podcast Transmission, on your favourite podcast platform! 🎧
News
All news-
Press releasesPeople who experienced mpox suspected to have long-term protection against reinfection
International follow-up study on booster vaccination -
From data to dialogue
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International researchers gather in Antwerp to discuss innovations in healthcare
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Breaking Boundaries: Innovations in Infectious Disease Research
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Discover more about social innovation with scientists Liselotte Hardy and Faridath Massou
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Articles
Fresh Off The Journal: October 2025
With the Fresh Off The Journal series, we bring you nine research highlights every month. -
Learn from Dr Oren Tzfadia how artificial intelligence helps tackle drug resistance
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Introducing Janne Wouters and Niki Danel
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Help us win the 2025 Heritage Challenge! Our water basin at the entrance of the ITM clinic is one of eight heritage gems competing for a prize from the KIK/IRPA (Royal Institute for Cultural Heritage).
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Study reveals hidden risk in food.
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Masterplan strengthens ITM as an international driver of science, innovation and health in Antwerp
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Articles
Congratulations, Laurens and Idzi!
Laurens Liesenborghs and Idzi Potters received prestigious awards for their outstanding contributions to their respective fields. -
With the Fresh Off The Journal series, we bring you nine research highlights every month.
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People are dying not only from bombs but also from lack of medicines.
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Articles
Four ITM researchers secure competitive fellowships from the Research Foundation of Flanders
Meet Anke Rotsaert, Anteneh Asefa, Daan Jansen and Irene Molina de la Fuente -
Strengthening local solutions for sustainable diagnostics
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Malaria remains number one, but dengue rises sharply
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The award puts global research in the spotlight.
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Press releases
Climate change could reprogram malaria mosquitoes
First-of-its-kind, realistic climate simulations reveal how warming and humidity changes rewire Anopheles stephensi biology and immunity. -
Citizens encouraged to remain alert
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Press releases
Minister Prévot visits Congolese partners of ITM in fight against mpox and sleeping sickness
Investing in cooperation is investing in a safer future -
Press releases
Boost for sleeping sickness elimination efforts led by ITM
In a major step toward eliminating sleeping sickness in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) has secured a 17.5 million dollar grant from the Gates Foundation. The funding will support the GAMBIT project, which aims to intensify efforts against this fatal parasitic disease. -
A small ecological change, a big difference for public health
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Accelerating the development of new medical interventions for poverty-related infectious diseases
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Interview with Dr Placide Mbala, a leading Congolese medical doctor and virologist named one of Nature’s 10 most influential scientists for his groundbreaking work on mpox.
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A discreet, reliable and simple alternative to testing at the doctor's
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In May 2025, the ITM SIMBLE team visited CNHU-HKM in Cotonou and Boko Hospital in Benin for the last time.
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We welcomed two guest lecturers to our French-language Challenges in International Health course.
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A conversation with Marleen Boelaert Scholarship grantee Faradiba Faradiba (Indonesia) and Professor Raffaella Ravinetto (ITM)
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Articles
Quiet waters run deep
ITM has launched a campaign to highlight its heritage. -
Interview with Dr Peter Macharia, a spatial epidemiologist from Kenya
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ITM once again looks back on a successful edition of the Nerdland Festival!
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Better diagnosis thanks to improved stool analysis
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Opinion pieces
The global health predicament after the US funding cuts
Is global health security worth 0.01% of our GDP? -
Meet Malgorzata Domagalska, head of ITM’s new Unit of Experimental Parasitology—but she prefers to go by Gosia. In this interview, she shares insights into her research on neglected tropical diseases and how highly adaptable parasites complicate treatment efforts.
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Press releases
International collective action is required to address global health security threats
The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria should step up efforts. -
From 18 till 20 March 2025, the SIMBLE team visited the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Yalgado Ouédraogo (CHU-YO) in Burkina Faso for the end of study visit.
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Dr Saleh Aljadeeah shares compelling insights into his research on access to essential medicines in conflict-affected areas of Northern Syria.
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The RETAMA project trains scientists and health professionals in research ethics to enhance the quality and accountability of health sciences research in Latin America.
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Press releases
Honouring the legacy of tuberculosis pioneer Armand Van Deun with Room Van Deun and scholarship
ITM is commemorating the legacy of Armand Van Deun (1953–2023), a visionary researcher and teacher, by naming a room after him and launching a new scholarship programme: the Armand Van Deun Scholarship Initiative. -
The EDCTP-funded StrogHAT project aims to provide the first evidence needed to integrate the highly promising acoziborole into national control programmes for sleeping sickness, a disease in decline, but not yet defeated.
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Press releases
Sanctions and the right to health in post-Assad Syria
Rethinking sanctions to punish regimes and protect people -
Tunçalp brings a unique blend of expertise and vision to ITM.
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Press releases
ITM and University of the Western Cape join forces to improve medicine and vaccine safety in South Africa
Advancing public health innovation through EU-South Africa partnerships -
Opinion piece following World AIDS Day on 1 December 2024
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Press releases
Largest study of its kind reveals new insights into Clade Ib of mpox and challenges early fears
How mpox threatens pregnant women and children -
On 19 November 2024, an interactive and insightful ITM alumni meeting took place in Nagasaki.
Our clinic
We are an outpatient clinic specialised in the diagnosis, treatment and care of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, travel health and tropical medicine, and infectious diseases.
Our research
We aim to advance knowledge about tropical and infectious diseases and tackle important health challenges, with a particular focus on low-resource settings and vulnerable populations.
Our courses
We offer master's programmes, postgraduate certificate programmes and expert short courses in tropical medicine, international public health and global One Health for professionals from around the world.
Our partnerships
We work with numerous partners across three continents on institutional capacity sharing and collaboration.
Make an appointment
Consultations in our polyclinic are by appointment only. Book your appointment well in advance, as waiting times can be long in spring and summer.
Contact
You need to make an appointment at our clinic to receive medical advice, but there are a few other ways you can get in touch.
Webshop
Explore our webshop and get your hands on an ITM hoodie, notebook, pair of socks, boc 'n roll, and so much more!
All events
Search eventsPhD defence Kéfilath Bello
ITG Onderwijscampus Rochus, Aula P.G. Janssens, Sint-Rochusstraat 43, 2000 Antwerpen
PhD defence Salvator Minani
Ghent University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Clinic Auditorium D, Salisburylaan 133, Merelbeke
PhD defence Christelle Boyi Hounsou
VU Amsterdam, Main Building, Aula, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, the Netherlands