About COMREC
About COMREC
The Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) is committed to ensuring that all researchers and research affiliates consider ethical issues throughout the entire research process, including design, methodology, conduct, dissemination, as well as the archiving, future use, sharing, and linking of data produced. To oversee these ethical considerations, KUHeS has an ethics committee known as the College of Medicine Research Committee (COMREC). COMREC is responsible for safeguarding the welfare of human participants and animals involved in research. Furthermore, COMREC holds delegated powers from the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST). KUHeS is in the process of establishing KUREC to continue COMREC functions which was originally formed by the College of Medicine in 1995. The KUREC establishment is yet to be approved by NCST.
Ethical and scientific guidelines for conducting research involving human subjects have been developed and are in place. These include, among others, the Declaration of Helsinki, the International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects, and the Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. Adherence to these guidelines ensures the dignity, rights, safety, and well-being of research participants, while also ensuring the credibility of the study findings. Additionally, COMREC follows the national guidelines from the NCST which are aligned with international standards but tailored to the local context. Researchers have the responsibility to follow the guidelines dutifully.
To promote awareness of research ethics and integrity, COMREC has developed an online training program called KUHeS Research Ethics Online (KRETO), which is set to be launched before 31st May 2025.
