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 committee | Name of the Committee | Contact/address |
| National | National Ethics Committee of Research for Human Health (Comité National d’Ethique de la Recherche pour la Santé Humaine (CNERSH)) | [email protected] 243674339/690996781 |
| Regional | Centre Regional Ethics Committee | [email protected] |
| South Regional Ethics Committee | NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE COULD BE FOUND | |
| Littoral Regional Ethics Committee | [email protected] | |
| West Regional Ethics Committee | [email protected] 694240157/677650059 | |
| North Regional Ethics Committee | [email protected] | |
| North-west Regional Ethics Committee | [email protected] | |
| South-west Regional Ethics Committee | [email protected] | |
| Far-north Regional Ethics Committee | [email protected] | |
| Institutional | Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board IRB (CBCHB IRB) | [email protected] 237 75 156 546 |
| Chantal Biya International Reference centre IRB – Yaounde | [email protected] / [email protected] http://circb.cm/btc_circb/web/ 222 315 452/ 222 315 456 | |
| Faculty of Health Sciences IRB, University of Buea – Buea | https://www.Irb.fhs.ubuea.cm [email protected] | |
| Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences IRB,-Yaounde | https://www.fmsb-uninet.cm/ | |
| Bamenda Regional Hospital IRB – Bamenda | https://www.bamendaregionalhospital.cm/index-fr.html 233 36 11 08 / 233 36 18 19 | |
| Yaounde General Hospital IRB – Yaounde | NO WEB LINK SPECIFIC TO THE STRUCTURE | |
| Douala General Hospital IRB – Douala | https://hgdcam.com/en/ [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] | |
| Yaounde Central Hospital IRB – Yaounde | NO WEB LINK SPECIFIC TO THE STRUCTURE | |
| Research Foundation in Tropical Diseases and Environment IRB, Buea | NO WEB LINK SPECIFIC TO THE STRUCTURE | |
| Independent Review board (Not attached to any institution) | Cameroon Bioethics Initiative (CAMBIN) | [email protected] 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 Committee | Jurisdiction | Authority | Type of Study and Conditions to Fulfill |
| National Ethics Committee | Whole Country (Cameroon) | MINSANTE | Projects 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 Committee | Specific Region | Regional 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 Committee | Specific Institution | Institution (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.
Find link to the full law below
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:
- Confirmation that the application file is complete;
- Verification of the legitimacy and competence of the Ethics Committee that granted ethical clearance;
- Evaluation of the implementing institutions’ capacity to carry out the research;
- 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.
Published on August 6, 2023 and Updated on April 1, 2025.
Further readings:
- Guideline for good clinical practice E6(R2) 2016 version www.https:// ICH GCP – 1. GLOSSARY
- Arreté numero 0977 /A/MINSANTE/SESP/SG/DROS/du 18 avril 2012 portant creation, organisation et fonctionnement des comités d’éthique de la recherche pour la santé humaine au sein des structures relevant du ministere en charge de la santé publique Comité National d’Ethique pour la Recherche en Santé Humaine -CNERSH | Centre de Documentation Numérique du Secteur Santé (minsante.cm)
- Fomboh, Richard N. “Review of Research and Research Ethics in Cameroon,” 2017.
- Munung, Nchangwi Syntia, Chi Primus Che, Odile Ouwe-Missi-Oukem-Boyer, and Godfrey B. Tangwa. “How Often Are Ethics Approval and Informed Consent Reported in Publications on Health Research in Cameroon? A Five-Year Review.” Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics 6, no. 3 (September 2011): 93–97. https://doi.org/10.1525/jer.2011.6.3.93.
- Law No. 2022/008 of April 27, 2022, relating to Medical Research Involving Human Subjects in Cameroon, LOI Nº 2022/008 DU 27 AVRIL 2022 RELATIVE A LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE IMPLIQUANT LA PERSONNE HUMAINE AU CAMEROUN | Centre de Documentation Numérique du Secteur Santé (minsante.cm)
- GUIDE DE BONNES PRATIQUES POUR LA CREATION, L’ORGANISATION ET LE FONCTIONNEMENT DES COMITES D’ETHIQUE DE LA RECHERCHE POUR LA SANTE HUMAINE Guide De bonnes pratique.pdf (minsante.cm)
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.
Very excellent article. Useful to anyone seeking to do research on Cameroon.
Great Job team. How will you research be affected if you obtained just the ethical clearance without the AAR?
Hi Lionel.
we’re delighted that our blog has given you a better understanding of regarding research ethics.
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.
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.
Thanks Gaius.
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.
Very insightful
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?
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.
Congratulations for this excellent article about ethics in Cameroon
Thanks Maturin !!
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!
Thanks very much Clenise !!
Thank you very much for the clarifications
Community health finding
Great article. I have gotten more insights on ethics in Cameroon
Thanks very much Kuaguim.
So good job. French version awaited
Hi Xaverie, we have posted the French version. Here it is https://learn.crenc.org/fr/evaluation-ethique-au-cameroun/
Please share.
Great job!! This result raises more awareness on the ethics part of research. My sincere appreciations,
Thanks Marius.
It was our main objective.
Excellent work there dear team. Now i know where to go to for ethical considerations when carrying out research in any region of cameroon.
Thanks Claudette !!
We’re glad to know you’ve learned something
This shared information is a great way to go. Congratulations to the team committed to seeing meaningful research encouraged & supported in our Cameroon system.
Thanks for the feedback Becky.
Great , special thanks to the crenc IeDEA team. i learnt alot from this article.
Hi Suaibu.,
Thanks very much
Thank you very much to the amazing team of CRENC
Hi Guénolé,
The pleasure is ours as well.
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.
Hi Luma.,
We’re glad to know that you learnt from our blog.
Thanks for the idea regarding a new blog on Administrative Authorization.
Great
Thanks Bakoh !!!!
Great blog, I have gain more insight. Thanks very much
Hi Solomon.,
Thanks very much.
We really appreciate.
This is so insightful, thanks very much
Hi Comfort.,
My pleasure.
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.
Hi Henrietta.,
It’s our pleasure !!!
Thanks for this interesting article. I have learnt many new things from reading through this article.
Hi Dorcas.,
It’s our pleasure !!!
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.
Hi Philomen.,
We’re glad it was interesting and insightful.
Thanks very much.