About AGCTH ISERC

1.Who We Are

The AGC Tenwek Hospital Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee (ISERC) is an independent multidisciplinary committee established by AGC Tenwek Hospital to provide scientific and ethical review of research conducted at or involving the Hospital.

The Committee's role is to ensure that proposed research meets appropriate scientific and ethical standards and that the rights, safety, dignity, privacy, and welfare of research participants are protected. ISERC also considers the feasibility and institutional relevance of proposed research and promotes responsible conduct of research within the Hospital.

Research involving human participants, their identifiable or potentially identifiable data, records, or biological materials is reviewed in accordance with applicable institutional and national regulations.

2.  Our Mandate

AGCTH ISERC is responsible for:

  • Reviewing the scientific merit and methodological appropriateness of proposed research.
  • Assessing the ethical acceptability of research involving human participants.
  • Reviewing the adequacy of informed consent and participant information.
  • Assessing potential risks and benefits and measures to protect participants.
  • Considering the protection of privacy, confidentiality, and research data.
  • Reviewing provisions for the protection of vulnerable populations, where applicable.
  • Considering relevant institutional, regulatory, and legal requirements.
  • Reviewing amendments, continuing reviews, safety reports, study closures, and other subsequent submissions as applicable.

ISERC approval is required before commencement of research activities that require ethical review, including data collection, in accordance with institutional and applicable national requirements.

3. Accreditation

The Tenwek Hospital ISERC is accredited by the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) to conduct ethical review of research. (Accreditation Reference: NACOSTI/NBC/AC/03019)

4. Committee Composition

ISERC is constituted as a multidisciplinary committee to ensure that research is considered from a range of scientific, clinical, ethical, legal, and community perspectives.

The Committee includes representation from:

  • Medical practitioners representing different clinical departments
  • Nursing practitioners
  • Research/scientific expertise
  • Lay/community representation
  • Legal expertise
  • Other relevant professional or technical expertise, as applicable

5. Meeting Schedule

ISERC ordinarily meets on the third Tuesday of each month to consider research submissions and other matters within its mandate.

Submissions must undergo the required initial completeness checks and review processes before they can be considered by the Committee. To facilitate timely review, applications should be submitted and complete at least one week before the scheduled ISERC meeting, preferably by the second Tuesday of each month.

Applicants should refer to the Submission Guidelines and Service Delivery Charter for information on submission requirements and expected timelines.

6. Commitment to Ethical Research

AGC Tenwek Hospital is committed to conducting and supporting research that contributes to improved patient and community health, strengthens healthcare practice and education, and advances knowledge while upholding the dignity and rights of research participants.

                                                                                                                          “We Treat. Jesus Heals.”