African Malaria Network Trust, AMANET, has launched an online Health Research Ethics (HRE) Discussion Forum that is aimed at discussing and debating ethical issues and dilemmas in Africa. The forum comprises three main activities which are part of a programme funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation aimed at strengthening capacity of Health Research Ethics in Africa. The three Discussion Forum activities are coordinated from a HRE Sub-hub in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
The first activity involves discussion of real life case studies from various African countries; the case studies are posted on the online Discussion Forum for interactive discussions. Interested stakeholders such as Ethics Committee members, health researchers, health personnel such as physicians and nurses, research participants and policy makers are welcome to participate. To wind up discussions on a particular case study, expert views and comments from the Yaoundé Sub-hub will be provided.
The second activity, referred to as the Ask the Expert/Ethicist activity, enables any interested stakeholders to ask specific questions regarding ethical dilemmas and challenges that they encounter in the field. The questions can be posted on the online forum to enable interactive responses from various participants and finally expert opinion from relevant Experts/Ethicists.
The third activity enables any stakeholders to post their own case studies that they have experienced in the field in African settings. The posted case studies will be discussed by the wider audience and finally, as in the other activities, expert opinion will be provided.
The Discussion Forum can be accessed via the AMANET website (http://www.amanet-trust.org). On the AMANET website in the left menu, click the link discussions. Once you are in the Discussion Forum, you can read the case studies under discussion, but if you want to post your responses, comments, questions, or case study, you have to register. To register, click register at the top of the page. Please use your real name (first and last names) for username. This is a safety measure to protect the forum from potential abuse. Once you have registered, we will activate your account before you can use it.
It is hoped that these activities will go a long way in promoting interactive discussions and debates which could help to collectively and effectively address ethical challenges and dilemmas that are encountered in the field.
For more information contact:
Dr. Aceme Nyika
Ethics Coordinator
African Malaria Network Trust [AMANET]
Third Floor, Commission for Science and Technology
Building, Ali Hassan Mwinyi Road,
P. O. Box 33207,
Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA.
Website: http://www.amanet-trust.org
Tel: +255 22 2700018
Fax: +255 22 2700380
Email address: mailto:anyika@amanet-trust.org