National Research Ethics Oversight

National Ethics Committee for Research for Human Health

CNERSH is Cameroon's national ethical oversight and coordination body for research involving human participants in the health domain.

Discover CNERSH Knowledge Centre

Government Health Authority

Ministry of Public Health

Participant Protection

Protecting dignity, rights, safety and wellbeing.

Ethical Governance

Supporting responsible health research in Cameroon.

Ethical research oversight for a healthier and safer Cameroon.

01 · Who We Are

A national system for ethical research oversight

CNERSH's fundamental responsibility is to help ensure that health research is scientifically sound, ethically acceptable, respectful of human dignity, protective of participants' rights, safety and welfare, conducted according to an approved protocol and compliant with Cameroon's laws and regulations.

The Committee has a coordination and supervisory function in relation to research ethics committees operating within health structures and higher institutions of education. Its mandate includes strengthening research ethics systems, developing procedures, reviewing relevant research and supporting compliance monitoring.

Legal foundation: The CNERSH source document identifies Law No. 2022/008 as the key framework for medical research involving human beings, including participants, investigators, sponsors/promoters, biological materials, health data and clinical research.

02 · Our Vision

Trusted national leadership

To be a trusted national leader in ethical research governance, ensuring that research involving human beings in Cameroon advances knowledge and health while protecting human dignity, rights, safety and wellbeing.

03 · Our Mission

Protect · Promote · Coordinate · Comply

Protect rights, dignity, safety and wellbeing; promote scientifically rigorous and ethically responsible research; coordinate and strengthen the national research ethics system; and support compliance with Cameroon's ethical and regulatory requirements.

04 · Core Values

Principles that guide ethical oversight

Respect for Human Dignity

Every participant is treated as a person with inherent dignity and rights.

Beneficence

Research should seek meaningful benefits for participants and society.

Non-Maleficence

Risks and potential harms must be minimized and appropriately justified.

05 · Important Functions

How ethical oversight works

Ethical Review

Review research protocols involving human participants and determine whether they satisfy applicable ethical requirements.

Scientific-Ethical Assessment

Scientific validity is an ethical component because a study unable to answer its research question may expose participants to risk without sufficient scientific or social value.

Participant Protection

Particular attention is given to children, people lacking decision-making capacity, pregnant women where relevant, prisoners or institutionalized persons, vulnerable populations, communities with limited healthcare access and emergency participants.

06 · Protocol Policies

The 12-policy governance framework

Expanded guidance

No research without prior ethical clearance

Research involving human participants should not commence without the required ethical clearance and applicable administrative authorization.

Approved protocol must be followed

Research should be conducted according to the approved protocol. Substantive changes should receive appropriate review before implementation except urgent participant-safety changes.

Informed consent is mandatory

No participant should be enrolled without the legally and ethically required consent process.

Risk must be proportionate

Risks should be identified, minimized, justified, monitored and appropriately managed.

07 · Review Categories

CNERSH's governance framework includes appropriate pathways for full review, amendments, expedited review and continuing, safety or incident-related oversight.

08 · Scientific & Ethical Processes

Review considers scientific protocol elements together with information and consent, data management, biological materials, community engagement, risk, funding, compensation and investigator training.

09 · Accountability

Ethical clearance is the beginning of an accountability relationship among researchers, participants, institutions, regulators and society.

10 · Accountability

Accountability under Law No. 2022/008

The CNERSH source describes administrative, financial and criminal sanctions under Chapter VII, Articles 56–60. The official law should be consulted for legal reliance.

View documented framework →

Ethical clearance is not a certificate to conduct research; it begins continuing accountability.

National Ethics Committee for Research for Human Health

A national system for ethical research oversight

Trusted national leadership

Protect · Promote · Coordinate · Comply

Principles that guide ethical oversight

Respect for Human Dignity

Beneficence

Non-Maleficence

How ethical oversight works

Ethical Review

Scientific-Ethical Assessment

Participant Protection

The 12-policy governance framework

No research without prior ethical clearance

Approved protocol must be followed

Informed consent is mandatory

Risk must be proportionate

Accountability under Law No. 2022/008

Justice & Equity

Integrity

Independence

Confidentiality

Accountability

Informed Consent

Continuing Oversight

Ethics Education

Vulnerable participants require additional safeguards

Privacy and confidentiality

Biological materials

Data governance

Protocol amendments

Adverse events and safety reporting

Conflict of interest

Publication integrity