Research Scientists Trained in Bioethics and Clinical Research
A two-day Training in Bioethics and Clinical Research for partners in the Pan- African Network for
Rapid Research, Response, and Preparedness for Infectious Diseases Epidemics (PANDORA) was
conducted for Research Assistants, Study Nurses, Trial Managers, and Administrators to share
experiences and best practices in implementing clinical research and resolving ethical issues.
The Training was hosted by UNHRO-UVRI from the 21st to the 22nd February 2023 with support from the
EDCTP-PANDORA project. The PANDORA project has a secretariat at the Foundation Congolese
pour la Recherche Medical (FCRM), in the Republic of Congo. PANDORA was established on the 1 st
March 2018 and has from Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, the Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Tanzania,
Uganda and Zambia in 13 African and 9 European Institutions.
The Training was timely and aimed to refresh participants with the knowledge and basic principles in
bioethics and clinical research, given the ongoing research studies. The training modules included
helping participants to appreciate the different national and international guidelines and legal
frameworks that guide research ethics , specifically, the training involved leading participants to
understanding the history and evolution of research ethics, key considerations in the ethical review of
research importance and process of an informed consent when carrying out clinical research, getting
to know the fundamental principles of ethics and how to resolve ethical issues, preparing for, and
managing submission of a proposal to the Research and Ethics Committees (RECs).
The methods of instruction involved open discussions, group work presentations, and sharing
experiences by the participants. The facilitators were senior researchers from MRC-LSHTM/UVRI and PANDORA-ID-NET is part of EDCTP program supported by European Union under grant agreement RIA 2016E-1609. Makerere University College of Health Sciences. Participants learned how to work in teams and support one another during the submission of research protocols.
