FG partners U.S.CDC to digitalise health research

On Oct 5, 2024

The National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC), with support from the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S CDC), has inaugurated an electronic platform to fast-track health research processes.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, on Friday in Lagos, said the platform was a boost for health research governance, and a huge step toward a healthier and more resilient future for all Nigerians.

According to him, the NHREC electronic platform is more than just a technological tool, but a promise of integrity and accountability in health research.

“In a country as diverse and dynamic as Nigeria, health research plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing the unique health challenges we face.

“It informs policies, improves clinical practices, and provides the data necessary to drive innovation in healthcare delivery.

“With the NHREC electronic platform, we now have the capacity to further optimise health research in ways that promote equity and protect public health.

“And, most importantly, ensure that the people at the heart of this research—the patients and communities—are safeguarded,” he said.

Alausa said that the platform would provide a seamless and centralised system for the ethical review and approval of research proposals.

He stressed that it would ensure that all health research in Nigeria adheres to global standards and protects the rights, dignity, and safety of participants.

“This platform will not only improve the efficiency of the review process but also enhance transparency, reduce delays, and eliminate redundancies, making our health research landscape more robust and competitive on the global stage,” he said.

The minister commended the U.S. CDC for its unwavering support and sponsorship in making the vision a reality.

“The U.S CDC has been a true partner in our collective efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems, and today’s achievement is a testament to the profound impact of international collaboration.

“Your expertise, resources, and guidance have paved the way for this transformative platform, which will empower Nigeria to further uphold the highest standards in health research ethics,” he said.

Alausa noted that the collective success of the platform depends on the continued collaboration of all stakeholders — researchers, institutions, regulators, and international partners.

Similarly, Dr Adeola Adeyeye, Associate Director of Science, U.S CDC, lauded the Federal Ministry of Health for being responsive in making all documents available, thereby facilitating the process.

Adeyeye said that developing the NHREC platform in six weeks was a testament to strong collaboration between development partners, the government, and its various parastatals.

She noted that the U.S. CDC Nigeria office was established in 2001 with a mission to promote public health excellence for Nigerians.

Also, Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, said the e-portal would fast-track the process of submitting research protocol for approval from ethics committees.

Abayomi described the process as ease of doing business in the medical research environment.

He noted that the platform would accelerate Nigeria’s ability to compete globally, drive innovation and technological development and contribute to the bioeconomy, employment creation and GDP growth.

Similarly, Prof. Oliver Ezechi, a Committee Member of NHREC, said previously that the submission process of research in NHREC was purely manual.

Ezechi said researchers send their protocols through email with many worried about intellectual property compromise due to the transmission channel.

“Our worries are over as we now have a secured e-platform to submit, verify and approve our research,” he said.

NHREC was first established in 2014, and aims to enforce standards and protocols for ethically conducting clinical research in Nigeria.

NAN/Wumi