Strengthening research ethics oversight in Africa: The Kenyan example

Main Article Content

L Omutoko
B Amugune
T Nyawira
I Inwani
C Muchoki
M Masika
G Omosa-Manyonyi
C Kamau
L K'Apiyo
W Jaoko

Abstract

Background. Africa has seen an increase in the number of health research projects being conducted on the continent, particularly clinical trials. Ideally, this should be accompanied by a commensurate improvement in research ethics review capacity to competently provide the much-required research ethics oversight. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many African countries, which are still grappling with weak research ethics oversight capacity, not only at national level but also at institutional level.


Objectives. To describe the proposal by Kenya’s national research ethics regulatory authority, the National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), to build the capacity of its National Scientific and Ethics Committee (NSEC), tasked with providing the required research ethics oversight in the country.


Methods. This is the proposal submitted by NACOSTI to the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership for funding of a project entitled ‘Strengthening Research Ethics and Oversight in Kenya’ (STReK). It describes the activities involved to strengthen the NSEC to provide the required research ethics in the country, and to build the research ethics capacity of research ethics committees (RECs) it has accredited, through training and mentorship programmes, to enable them to efficiently review research proposals.


Results. Proposed activities of the project are presented. Implementation of the activities described is ongoing.


Conclusion. Lessons learnt in this regard may be of benefit to other research ethics regulatory authorities in resource-constrained countries aiming to strengthen their research ethics oversight capacity.

Article Details

How to Cite
Strengthening research ethics oversight in Africa: The Kenyan example. (2023). South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, 16(1), 19-22. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJBL.2023.v16i1.199
Section
Research Articles
Author Biographies

L Omutoko, Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Senior Lecturer, Department of Educational Management, Policy and Curriculum Studies, Faculty of Education

B Amugune, Department of Pharmacy, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences

T Nyawira, National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Kenya

Senior Analyst

I Inwani, Department of Paediatrics, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

Senior Director Clinical Services, Department of Paediatrics

C Muchoki, National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Kenya

Senior Analyst

M Masika, KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research, University of Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Lecturer, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sceinces

G Omosa-Manyonyi, KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research, University of Nairobi, Kenya; Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Lecturer, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences

C Kamau, National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI), Kenya

Chief Analyst

L K'Apiyo, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nairobi, Kenya

Administrator, Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences

How to Cite

Strengthening research ethics oversight in Africa: The Kenyan example. (2023). South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, 16(1), 19-22. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJBL.2023.v16i1.199

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