Mengo Hospital faces unique health, environmental, social, and economic challenges that attract both local and international research interest. The number of research projects involving human participants at Mengo has increased significantly. While this growing pursuit of knowledge and search for new solutions is commendable, it could expose research participants to various risks if not properly managed.

Due to the increasing volume of research projects undertaken by Mengo Hospital training schools and numerous requests from scientists and academicians worldwide to conduct clinical trials and other research at the hospital, a decision was made to establish an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review all research projects involving human subjects conducted in or through Mengo Hospital.

In August 2009, following consultation and provisional accreditation by the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), the Medical Director of Mengo Hospital appointed 13 members from both inside and outside the hospital to form the Mengo Hospital Research Committee (MHREC) as the hospital’s IRB. MHREC received its first full accreditation from UNCST on July 20, 2011. It is composed of both scientists and non-scientists and operates independently in its review, advice, and decisions. Currently, MHREC has 15 members.

The primary purpose of MHREC is to review the scientific and ethical aspects of both national and international research proposals submitted to the committee, while safeguarding the rights, safety, and welfare of research participants. MHREC has the authority to modify research proposals, approve, suspend, or terminate studies found to violate ethical guidelines, and oversee approved studies thereafter. The committee is committed to providing confidential, independent, and competent reviews and approvals. It also ensures that UNCST is kept informed of all REC decisions, a requirement consistently met since its inception.

MHREC operates under the mandate and accreditation of UNCST. It is internationally recognized and registered with the Federal Wide Assurance (FWA). Research protocols reviewed must align with the values and beliefs of Mengo Hospital, a Christian-founded missionary hospital.

MHREC promotes ethical and scientific research at Mengo Hospital by ensuring continuous generation of evidence-based patient management solutions through research, positively impacting treatment outcomes both at Mengo and in other settings with similar disease patterns.

MHREC has approved Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure smooth, fair, efficient, and judicious operations. These SOPs apply to all day-to-day MHREC activities, all members serving on the committee as part of their institutional responsibilities, and others who must comply with its decisions and requirements, such as clinical investigators, research managers/coordinators, research nurses, and support staff.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all researchers are encouraged to submit research proposals online via the NRIMS website at https://nrims.uncst.go.ug/. Hard copy submissions will eventually no longer be accepted.