Roles and Responsibilities

Review of Research Proposals: The primary responsibility of IRBs is to review and approve research proposals involving human subjects. This involves assessing:

• The potential risks and benefits to participants
• The written informed consent process
• Confidentiality and data protection measures
• Equitable participant recruitment practices
• The proposed research Scientific integrity to the highest standard

Starting from 2020 G.C the IRB has approved an average of 1,400 proposals annually. Student researches account the higher proportion accounting for about 80% followed by faculty and external applicants and collaborators. However, the following were series limitations related to compliance

Monitoring Ongoing Research: the IRB rarely monitor approved studies because of limited number of full time staff to ensure they adhere to the approved protocol and ethical guidelines. They can suspend or terminate studies if ethical violations are identified. No single documented record was obtained up to the reporters search from IRB archives.

Post-Research Review: After research completion, SPHMMC IRBs fails to review findings to ensure that the study was conducted ethically and that data handling meets the ethical standards. Other than the student thesis defense at department levels that is not supported with appropriate documentation.

Potentials of collaboration on IRBs

• Capacity Building: Continued training for IRB members in advanced ethical review processes.
• Infrastructure Improvement: Providing IRBs with better resources to handle growing research demands, including but not limited to digitalizing the review and application process so that applicants can follow the status of their protocol approval online.
• Strengthen human power: to monitoring and oversight of approved research activities and data recording
• Public Awareness: Increasing awareness among researchers about the importance of ethical research practices and the role of IRBs.