Navigating the Ethics Review Landscape in Cameroon: A Comprehensive Guide for Researchers

by , , , | Aug 6, 2023 | Ethics and GCP

Ethics Review in Cameroon

In medical and health research, ensuring study participants’ protection, safety, and well-being is paramount. So, an independent and comprehensive ethical review is necessary for research activities involving human subjects. Whether you are planning to conduct medical research in Cameroon or just looking for information on ethics review boards, this is the right post for you. We’ll review what ethics review boards are, how they’re organized, and some regulations that govern them in Cameroon.

A Brief on Ethics Review Boards

Ethics Review Boards (ERBs), Independent Ethics Committees (IECs), Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) or even Research Ethics Committees (RECs), as they are sometimes called, operate as the guardians of human rights, safety, and well-being in the fields of medical and health research. Comprising medical professionals (experts representing the orders of physicians, pharmacists, dental surgeon and medical and health professional), non-medical professionals (biostatisticians, epidemiologists, jurists, civil society and health law representatives), and lay members (religious confessions, traditional practitioners). These committees have the mandate to ensure that all research activities involving human subjects are carried out ethically and transparently.

From assessing the aptitude of investigators, the pertinence of the research proposal and its scientific layout, the review board ensures this by reviewing the study protocols, and methods of obtaining informed consent, to monitoring the ethical conduct of the research and ensuring fair distribution of research benefits. These committees serve a multifaceted role. They are also tasked with making sure that the research participants are informed about the results, and that they report any irregularities that could lead to the interruption of the research project.

The Cameroonian Ethics Review Landscape

Cameroon has a variety of ethics review boards, with both national and regional committees under the Ministry of Public Health and several Institutional committees in various academic, health and research institutions across the country. Take a look at the table below for a snapshot of some of the key ethics committees in Cameroon:

Type of review committeeName of the CommitteeContact/address
NationalNational Ethics Committee of Research for Human Health (Comité National d’Ethique de la Recherche pour la Santé Humaine (CNERSH))setcominae@gmail.com 243674339/690996781
RegionalCentre Regional Ethics Committeecnersh_centre@yahoo.com
South Regional Ethics CommitteeNO INFORMATION AVAILABLE COULD BE FOUND
Littoral Regional Ethics Committeecrershlittoral@gmail.com   
West Regional Ethics Committeeethiqueouest@gmail.com   694240157/677650059
North Regional Ethics Committeemohamagaldima@yahoo.fr
North-west Regional Ethics Committeenorthwestcersh2023@yahoo.com  
South-west Regional Ethics Committeeechhr-sw@echhr-sw.org  
Far-north Regional Ethics Committeecrersh.extremenord@gmail.com
InstitutionalCameroon Baptist Convention Health Board IRB (CBCHB IRB)CBCHBIRB@gmail.com 237 75 156 546
Chantal Biya International Reference centre IRB – Yaoundece.circb@gmail.com / thomas.anana@circb-cameroun.org http://circb.cm/btc_circb/web/ 222 315 452/ 222 315 456
Faculty of Health Sciences IRB, University of Buea – Bueahttps://www.Irb.fhs.ubuea.cm    fhsirb@gmail.com
Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences IRB,-Yaoundehttps://www.fmsb-uninet.cm/
Bamenda Regional Hospital IRB – Bamendahttps://www.bamendaregionalhospital.cm/index-fr.html 233 36 11 08 / 233 36 18 19
Yaounde General Hospital IRB – YaoundeNO WEB LINK SPECIFIC TO THE STRUCTURE
Douala General Hospital IRB – Doualahttps://hgdcam.com/en/ dafhgd@hgdcam.com, dmhgd@hgdcam.com, dthgd@hgdcam.com
Yaounde Central Hospital IRB – YaoundeNO WEB LINK SPECIFIC TO THE STRUCTURE
Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment IRB, BueaNO WEB LINK SPECIFIC TO THE STRUCTURE
Independent Review board (Not attached to any institution)Cameroon Bioethics Initiative (CAMBIN)Cambin.ercc@gmail.com 222312880

Submission Guide for Ethics Review in Cameroon

Understanding where to submit your research for ethical review is crucial for a seamless process. In Cameroon, the level of submission depends on the scope and reach of your study. The National Ethics Committee has a broader reach covering national projects, clinical trials, projects with material transfer out of the country, international collaborations, or multi-region projects. The Regional Ethics Committees cater for projects that are confined to their specific region, while Institutional Ethics Committees review projects that are conducted entirely within the institution and recruit participants from the institution.

Here’s a quick guide to help you make the right choice:

Ethics CommitteeJurisdictionAuthorityType of Study and Conditions to Fulfill
National Ethics CommitteeWhole Country (Cameroon)MINSANTEProjects that cover the entire country or two or more regions.Projects initiated by an institution (promoter) that will be implemented in another institution in the same region or different regions.Projects in regions without a regional ethics committee.Clinical trials, regardless of the region.Projects involving material transfer out of the country.Projects involving international collaboration.Projects which spread across several institutions in different regions.High risk studies and pilot intervention studies Projects with external funding
Regional Ethics CommitteeSpecific RegionRegional Delegation– Projects located entirely within their region.
– Projects initiated by an institution (promoter) that will be implemented in another institution within the same region.
– Minimal risk studies
Institutional Ethics CommitteeSpecific InstitutionInstitution (Health, Research, Academic)– Projects conducted entirely within the institution.
– Projects where research participants are recruited from the institution only.
– Projects that require human and material resources from the institution.
– Studies with no external funding
– Minimal risk studies

Law Governing Medical Research in Cameroon

Cameroon has since 2009 (Decision N°0689/D/MINSANTE/SG/DROS of 29 July 2009) developed a comprehensive research governance framework and guidelines policies regarding medical research involving human subjects on the conditions for issuing the administrative Authorization of Research (AAR) in human health in Cameroon. In 2012, an order from the Ministry of Public Health (N°0977/A/MINSANTE/SESP/SG/DROS/ of 18 April 2012) stipulated the conditions for implementing operational research in Cameroon. This was the pacesetter for REC the creation, organization and functioning of Research Ethics Committees for human health within the structures of the Ministry in charge of Public Health with the mandates of REC members approved. This step-wise progress lead to the recent law governing research involving human subjects in 2022. Law No. 2022/008 of April 27, 2022, breaks down into eight chapters covering areas from general provisions, guiding principles, specific provisions for certain vulnerable populations, conservation of biological material and health-related data, roles of the investigator and promoter of a research project, specific provisions applicable to clinical trials, sanctions, and finally, transitional and final provisions. This legal framework not only sets the stage for ethical research but also provides a solid base for accountability and sanctions in cases of deviations and violations. Some key takeaways from the law include:

  • It covers a broad spectrum of research, including traditional or alternative medicine and studies in human and social sciences.
  • Safeguards rights of living and deceased individuals, embryos, fetuses, and provides protection for the use of biological materials and personal health data.
  • Enforces the necessity of written informed consent from study participants, including for the use of biological materials and personal health data.
  • Emphasizes respect for human dignity across all health research ventures, including research involving minors, incapacitated adults, pregnant women, and embryos and fetuses.
  • Highlights the accountability of researchers and research project promoters, stressing collaborative partnerships and consequences for infringement of obligations.

This progressive piece of legislation is poised to have a substantial impact on the conduct and governance of health and medical research involving human subjects in Cameroon, ensuring the sanctity of ethical standards while catering to the diverse research landscape.

Key Ethical Principles from Cameroon’s Law on Medical Research Involving Human Subjects. This diagram illustrates the core ethical provisions enshrined in Cameroon’s legal framework for medical research. These include safeguards for individual rights (both living and deceased), informed consent, data and material protection, human dignity—especially for vulnerable populations—and the accountability of researchers. The framework also covers traditional medicine and emphasizes collaboration and consequences for ethical breaches.

Find link to the full law below

http://cdnss.minsante.cm/?q=fr/content/loi-sur-la-recherche-medicale-impliquant-la-personne-humaine-au-cameroun

What is next after ethical clearance?

In line with national and international standards, the protection of research participants in Cameroon is upheld through a coordinated system involving several key actors:

  • The institution or community hosting the research project;
  • The research team, led by the Principal Investigator (PI), who is responsible for conducting the study in a manner that respects the rights and dignity of participants;
  • The competent ethics committees, which review applications for ethical clearance and monitors compliance throughout the research process;
  • The Ministry of Public Health, through its Division of Operational Health Research (DROS), which oversees the evaluation, administrative monitoring, promotion, and dissemination of human health research in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

    It is important to emphasize that ethical clearance alone does not authorize the implementation of a research project in Cameroon. Researchers must also secure an Administrative Authorization of Research (AAR), issued exclusively by the Ministry of Public Health (MOH) via DROS. In contrast, the Regional Delegations of Public Health issue what is known as an accord in principle, which is not a substitute for the AAR.

    To obtain the AAR, the MOH assesses four main criteria:

    1. Confirmation that the application file is complete;
    2. Verification of the legitimacy and competence of the Ethics Committee that granted ethical clearance;
    3. Evaluation of the implementing institutions’ capacity to carry out the research;
    4. Consistency between the submitted protocol and the one reviewed by the Ethics Committee.

    The AAR is a critical requirement for initiating research activities, and the table below outlines its importance in greater detail.

      Obtaining the AAR is important, and the table below explains why.

      Note: A detailed discussion on the process and conditions for obtaining the AAR will be provided in a future blog post.

      Conclusion:

      With a sound understanding of ethics review boards and their regulating laws in Cameroon, researchers can embark on their studies with increased assurance and commitment to ethical practices. By aligning your research with these committees’ ethical standards and existing regulatory research framework in within the country, you’ll not only safeguard the rights and well-being of involved subjects, but you’ll also play a vital role in shaping a more ethical, trustworthy, and credible research environment.

      Updated on April 1, 2025.


      Further readings:

      Authors

      • Gabriel Mabou (MPH, MSc, MA) is an epidemiologist and public health specialist. He is a CRENC fellow and former lead of the research ethics and data management unit in the same organization. His work now focuses on project management and activities supervision.

      • Dr. Ebasone (MD, PhD) is the Director of Research Operations at CRENC, where he coordinates the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) in Cameroon and oversees the e-learning program.

      • NAAH Tabala Felicite (MPH, BA ANTH) is a research officer at the Scientific Network and Ethics Promotion Unit, within the Division of Health Operational Research (DROS) of the Ministry of Public Health in Cameroon. With a strong background in public health and anthropology, she plays an essential role in promoting ethical practices and scientific collaboration within the country's health system.

      • Anastase Dzudie (MD, PhD, ASR, FESC) is a Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and Research and Lecturer of Human Physiology at the University of Yaounde 1 and the Executive Director of CRENC in Cameroon. He also leads the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) in the country.

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      45 Comments

      1. Marc Lionel

        Congratulations for this very interesting and informative post. I really learn a lot about Ethics in Cameroon and resources provide even more information to use.

        Reply
        • Dr Ejob Gaius

          Very excellent article. Useful to anyone seeking to do research on Cameroon.

        • Ajeh Bazil

          Great Job team. How will you research be affected if you obtained just the ethical clearance without the AAR?

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Lionel.
          we’re delighted that our blog has given you a better understanding of regarding research ethics.

        • Andinwoh

          Thank you all for this useful and interesting information. Life made easy for researchers in Cameroon.
          Please I need clarity…during my MPH , I got ethical clearance from the IRB of the university but my work wasn’t on participants in that institution and was carried entirely out of the institution. Was it wrong to get clearance from the institution?. That’s what I understood from the post … will love to get clarity. Looking forward to your response.

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Bazil.,
          To start conducting research you first of all need an ethical clearance followed by an Administrative Authorization. Both are obligatory. The ethical clearance is to prove that your study respects rules and regulations for the protection of the participants meanwhile the AAR grants you an approval to conduct your study. If you don’t have the AAR, your research project can be interrupted by the Ministry of Public Health and you can be charged with penalties.

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Thanks Gaius.

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Andinwoh and thanks for the question.
          The ethical clearance received from your institution was to cover you to show that the work you presented was reviewed ethically. It’s not wrong to have used it on another site.
          Note that, when conducting your research and the other institution/site/area where you will implement it has an ethical review board, obtain theirs too.

        • Tanlaka Lucas Mengnjo

          This is very insightful and helpful and has clarified a lot of doubts I have had with regards the right procedures to follow.

          What is the place of institutional administrative authorizations? Does it hold the same power as the institutional ER approval for those institutions without the committee?

          2. For research work limited to an institution,is it mandatory to have the approval from the regional committee or that from the Institutional committee can suffice?

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Dr Tanlaka and thanks for your questions.
          1. Institutional administrative authorizations (IAA) and institutional ethics review (IER) approvals serve distinct yet complementary roles in research governance. IAA purpose is to permit the research to be conducted within the institution, ensuring that the study aligns with its policies, resources, and operational frameworks meanwhile IER approval is obtained from an ethics committee, focusing on the ethical aspects of the study, including participant protection, risk minimization, and adherence to research ethics standards. Note that administrative authorization does not replace ER approval. Both are needed.

          2. Approval from the institutional ethics committee usually suffices, provided the committee is duly accredited or recognized by relevant national authorities. It means that if the institution has a recognized IER, you can work with that but if the IER doesn’t exist in that institution, the researcher must seek ethics approval from the regional or national ethics committee (national if the region itself is not having an ethics committee).

          Thanks for these nice questions.

      2. Maturin TABUE TEGUO

        Congratulations for this excellent article about ethics in Cameroon

        Reply
        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Thanks Maturin !!

        • Ngwa. A. Clenise

          Great and educative article!
          Thanks to the authors for throwing more light on research ethics.
          I have learnt a lot from this article on ethics in Cameroon.
          Thank you!

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Thanks very much Clenise !!

        • Tanlaka Lucas Mengnjo

          Thank you very much for the clarifications

      3. Chingwa shiri Annette

        Community health finding

        Reply
      4. Kuaguim

        Great article. I have gotten more insights on ethics in Cameroon

        Reply
        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Thanks very much Kuaguim.

      5. Xaverie Innocente Mantsana Nyebe

        So good job. French version awaited

        Reply
      6. Marius Garell Don Zangue

        Great job!! This result raises more awareness on the ethics part of research. My sincere appreciations,

        Reply
        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Thanks Marius.
          It was our main objective.

      7. Shey Claudette Mam

        Excellent work there dear team. Now i know where to go to for ethical considerations when carrying out research in any region of cameroon.

        Reply
        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Thanks Claudette !!
          We’re glad to know you’ve learned something

        • Kome Becky Limnyuy

          This shared information is a great way to go. Congratulations to the team committed to seeing meaningful research encouraged & supported in our Cameroon system.

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Thanks for the feedback Becky.

      8. Suaibu Umaru

        Great , special thanks to the crenc IeDEA team. i learnt alot from this article.

        Reply
        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Suaibu.,
          Thanks very much

      9. Deffo Guénolé

        Thank you very much to the amazing team of CRENC

        Reply
        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Guénolé,
          The pleasure is ours as well.

      10. Luma Ngonga

        Thank you very much for this insightful blog post. Indeed this was worth reading, I have learnt a lot from this blog post and I look forward to the future post on Administrative Authorization of Research.

        Reply
        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Luma.,
          We’re glad to know that you learnt from our blog.
          Thanks for the idea regarding a new blog on Administrative Authorization.

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Thanks Bakoh !!!!

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Solomon.,
          Thanks very much.
          We really appreciate.

      11. Amah Comfort

        This is so insightful, thanks very much

        Reply
        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Comfort.,
          My pleasure.

      12. Henrietta Chifen

        Wow, thank you for this very insightful document. The enlightenment on where to obtain clearance pertaining to the kind of research is a wonderful guide for young researchers. thanks again.

        Reply
        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Henrietta.,
          It’s our pleasure !!!

        • Cheko Dorcas Akom

          Thanks for this interesting article. I have learnt many new things from reading through this article.

        • Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

          Hi Dorcas.,
          It’s our pleasure !!!

      13. Nkengbeza Ngueiwoh Philomen Joyce

        Thank you very much for this Article. I have learnt much from it and have more clarity in the procedure to take before carrying out a research.

        Reply
      14. Gabriel Tchatchouang Mabou

        Hi Philomen.,
        We’re glad it was interesting and insightful.
        Thanks very much.

        Reply

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