An Institution-Based Ethics Review Committee Model for Research on Human Subjects in Eswatini: Composition, Duties and Operations

Abstract

It is becoming increasing apparent that Universities in Eswatini need to establish effective ethics review committees to review applications from students and from faculty researchers. As the establishment of postgraduate programmes continue to increase, the volume of applications expected to be reviewed by the national Eswatini Human and Health Research Review Board (EHHRRB) continue to increase. The capacity of the EHHRRB is in itself not adequate for the load. High load of reviews suggest that not enough time is spent on each application. Hence universities have to carry some of this burden by reviewing their student applications or even applications from researchers in the country. It has been observed that universities themselves have either poorly constituted ethics committees or ones that are non-functional. This paper attempts to review different models of university-based committees that may be adopted by universities in Eswatini. Three models are discussed, the single central committee model, the devolved committee model and the rotating committee models. The paper discusses strengths and weaknesses of each model. The rotating committee model encapsulates the strengths of the former two models while suggesting how this model may avoid their weaknesses. The paper does not in any way entail to prescribe any model for any university but merely elucidates on the pros and cons of each in order to assist universities make informed decisions on which model best suites their set up.