WHAT WE DO
A range of training, networking, and regulatory support activities will be conducted to achieve the project's objective of strengthening and haromizing the ethical research review process in West Africa. These activities have been categorized into the following work packages (WP): Online training (WP1), Networking (WP2), Regulatory Support (WP3), and Dissemination and Management (WP4).
WORK PACKAGE 1:
ONLINE TRAINING.
The first work package comprises online training programs on gender mainstreaming, audit preparedness, research ethics, and the AVAREF tools for clinical trial protocol processing. The objectives of WP1 are to map capacity-related gaps in the field of research ethics in West Africa, improve the research ethics capacities of WANEC and West African ethics committee members. Prior to implementing the training programs, a Capacities Landscape will be conducted to assess the training needs of the research ethics stakeholders in West Africa, based on which the training tools will be designed.
WORK PACKAGE 2: NETWORKING.
The second work package of BCA-WA-ETHICS II aims to enhance networking and synergies between the different West African ethics committees, the West African Health Organization, as well as the World Health Organization. This is expected to promote the development of harmonized standard operating procedures in the region to encourage the implementation of the AVAREF Tools for Processing Clinical Trial Applications and the sex- and gender-sensitive evaluation of health research protocols. In the context of this work package, we provide technical support to all West African ethics committees through the Virtual research ethics secretariat. Click here to learn more.
WORK PACKAGE 3: REGULATORY SUPPORT.
WP3 is firstly targeted towards the evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 on the functioning of West African National Research Ethics Committees. This is expected to improve their preparation for future health emergency situations. The WP also aims to promote the integration of the AVAREF Tools for Processing Clinical Trial Applications by the National Ethics Committees of Benin, Mali, and Senegal. This is expected to prepare the committees for their ISO9001 audit in quality management. This WP also aims to create synergies between ethics committee members and regulatory officers at their corresponding Ministries of Health through quarterly meetings on the mainstreaming of research ethics in Ministerial texts.
WORK PACKAGE 4: MANAGEMENT AND DISSEMINATION.
WP4 is about making sure the project flows as smoothy as possible in technical and financial terms and that all the project's objectives are achieved in a timely manner. This WP also includes various communication and dissemination activities to raise awareness about the project's outputs to the general public as well as to the scientific community both in West Africa and in Spain.