The Liberal Party has pledged an extra $30 million over four years for medical research funding.

The Health Minister Kim Hames says the money would come on top of $58 million already committed.

Dr Hames says he hopes child health research would be a major focus.

"Particularly things like asthma, particularly things like cystic fibrosis," he said.

"We are so desperately trying to find a cure for cystic fibrosis, it causes major difficulties for young children and very early death rates for children in this state."

The WA Institute of Medical Research has welcomed the pledge of extra research.

Its director Peter Klinken says it will go a long way.

"Funding is always an issue, we're always looking for new funds," he said.

"The community has an expectation that we support medical research, new cures don't fall magically from the sky."