Professionals meet to reveiw National Health Research Ethics Guideline

Addis Ababa, May 20(ENA)-- The introduction of charging of fee for ethical clearance in Ethiopia needs an open approval of the prime stakeholders, researchers, and also needs approval of the government at the appropriate level, the Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission (ESTC) said.

Opening a two-day workshop organized to discuss on the National Health Research Ethical Guideline Review, ESTC commissioner, Mulugeta Amha said though charging of fee for ethical clearance is a practice widely used in other countries, to introduce such a mechanism in Ethiopia needs approvals.

Mulugeta said the objective of the workshop was to review and enrich the Revised National Health Research Ethical Review Guideline and discuss on national, sub-regional and international experiences in health research ethics with a view to putting in place widely accepted and legally binding ethical review system in Ethiopia.

The first guideline on health research ethics was issued in 1995 and has since then been reviewed in February 1997, he said.

He said the Ethical Review Committee of the council has consistently worked hard to ensure an ethical culture of conducting health research and protecting human research subjects.

Mulugeta said the key for a credible and functional review system is the change in attitude and culture of the research community and the public at large.

In this connection, capacity building in the regions, higher learning institutions and other stakeholders is a key element for ensuring an efficient and responsive, and yet a transparent and accountable system, he added.

The Ethiopian Science and Technology Commission in collaboration with the Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) organized the workshop.

Pertinent bodies drawn from governmental and non-governmental organizations, research and training institutions, regional health bureaus and higher learning institutions are in attendance in the workshop.