LSHTM DTM&H 127 years old!

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine is marking over a century of global health training, with its flagship Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (DTM&H) now reaching approximately 127 years of institutional heritage.

Founded in 1899, LSHTM was established to train doctors in the emerging field of tropical medicine, at a time when infectious diseases posed major challenges worldwide . Just a few years later, in 1904, the School launched its original diploma in tropical medicine, laying the foundation for what would become one of the most recognised qualifications in global health .

Today, the DTM&H remains an intensive, three-month programme based in London, designed to equip physicians with practical skills in tropical medicine, infectious disease management, and public health . Over more than a century, the course has continually evolved, adapting to changing global health priorities while maintaining its core focus on diseases affecting low- and middle-income settings .

From its early roots in colonial-era medicine to its current role in addressing global health challenges, the DTM&H reflects the broader transformation of LSHTM itself—an institution that has grown into a world-leading centre for research, teaching, and impact in public health.

As the programme enters its next chapter, it continues to train generations of clinicians working on the front lines of infectious disease worldwide—ensuring that its legacy remains very much alive.