Table 6 Health research governance policies and institutions
From: Governance of health research in four eastern and southern African countries
Element | Botswana | Kenya | Uganda | Zambia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Science, technology and innovation (STI) legislation | None | - 1977 1st STI Act (amended in 1979) - 2013 2nd STI Act | - Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) Act 1990 | -1997 National Science and Technology Act |
National STI policies/plans | - 1998 STI Policy - 2005 STI Plan - 2012 Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (RSTI) Policy | - 2008 STI Policy | - 2009 STI Policy - 2012 STI plan (2012–2018) | - 2009 STI policy (revised in 2006 and 2009) |
Health research legislation | None | - Health Act of 2017 (contains legislation pertaining to health research) | - 2011 Uganda National Health Research Organization (UNRO) Act | - 2013 National Health Research Act |
National health research policy | None | - 2019 Research for Health Policy | Â | - 2010 National health research policy |
National health research strategic plan | None | - National Research for Health Priorities (2019–2023) | - 2012 UNRO Health Research Policy | - 2008 National health research strategic plan (2008–2011) - 1999 National Health Research Agenda |
Oversight of national research overall | - Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (Department of Research, Science and Technology) | - Ministry of Education (Directorate of Research Management and Development) - National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) | - National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) - Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation | - Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training - National Science and Technology Council |
Oversight of health research | - Ministry of Health and Wellness, Department of Health Research, Policy and Development, Health Research Unit | - Ministry of Health, Research and Innovation Division, Health Research Office - National Health Research Committee | - Uganda National Health Research Organization | - National Health Research Authority, under Ministry of Health |
Ethical review systems (note—institutional review board abbreviated IRB) | - Health Research and Development Committee (HRDC) - IRB, University of Botswana - IRB in some hospitals | - 27 IRBs accredited by National Bioethics Committee (under NACOSTI) - Kenya Medical Research Institute Scientific Ethics Review Unit (KEMRI SERU) - IRB, Amref Health Africa - IRB in some hospitals and universities | - 23 IRBs are accredited by the UNCST | - National Health Research Ethics Board - ERES [Excellence in Research Ethics and Science] Converge - IRB, University of Zambia |