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. 2021 Oct 13;19:132. doi: 10.1186/s12961-021-00781-3

Table 6.

Health research governance policies and institutions

Element Botswana Kenya Uganda Zambia
Science, technology and innovation (STI) legislation None

- 1977 1st STI Act (amended in 1979)

- 2013 2nd STI Act

- Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST) Act 1990 -1997 National Science and Technology Act
National STI policies/plans

- 1998 STI Policy

- 2005 STI Plan

- 2012 Research, Science, Technology and Innovation (RSTI) Policy

- 2008 STI Policy

- 2009 STI Policy

- 2012 STI plan (2012–2018)

- 2009 STI policy (revised in 2006 and 2009)
Health research legislation None - Health Act of 2017 (contains legislation pertaining to health research) - 2011 Uganda National Health Research Organization (UNRO) Act - 2013 National Health Research Act
National health research policy None - 2019 Research for Health Policy - 2010 National health research policy
National health research strategic plan None - National Research for Health Priorities (2019–2023) - 2012 UNRO Health Research Policy

- 2008 National health research strategic plan (2008–2011)

- 1999 National Health Research Agenda

Oversight of national research overall - Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology (Department of Research, Science and Technology)

- Ministry of Education (Directorate of Research Management and Development)

- National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI)

- National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST)

- Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

- Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training

- National Science and Technology Council

Oversight of health research - Ministry of Health and Wellness, Department of Health Research, Policy and Development, Health Research Unit

- Ministry of Health, Research and Innovation Division, Health Research Office

- National Health Research Committee

- Uganda National Health Research Organization - National Health Research Authority, under Ministry of Health

Ethical review systems

(note—institutional review board abbreviated IRB)

- Health Research and Development Committee (HRDC)

- IRB, University of Botswana

- IRB in some hospitals

- 27 IRBs accredited by National Bioethics Committee (under NACOSTI)

- Kenya Medical Research Institute Scientific Ethics Review Unit (KEMRI SERU)

- IRB, Amref Health Africa

- IRB in some hospitals and universities

- 23 IRBs are accredited by the UNCST

- National Health Research Ethics Board

- ERES [Excellence in Research Ethics and Science] Converge

- IRB, University of Zambia