1. Ethical dilemmas and safety concerns in conducting research in disaster situations
Morenike Ukpong-Folayan
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Fellow, Global Health Trials Network

2. Outline Current health disaster situations
Ethical dilemma and lessons learnt
International guidelines on biomedical research conducted during disaster situations
Applications for the local context
Conclusion

3. Current health disaster situations

4. Ebola Virus Disease

5. Zika Disease

6. H1N1 – Swine Flu

7. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - SARS

8. Ethical dilemma and lessons learnt

9. Lessons learnt
Laws and programs on public health respons should recognise the need to conduct research during emergencies.
Local epidemics receive global interest and attracts foreign researchers.
Culture, norms and practices should inform the design of research design

10. International guidelines on biomedical research

11. Ethical guidelines - 1
Governments and the international community have obligations
Ensure national public health laws that also addresses how to handle research conduct during emergencies.
Institute mechanisms for protocol reviews during such emergencies.

12. Ethical guidelines - 2
Involve local communities in the design and implementation of the research
Inclusiveness
Be aware of vulnerabilities
Be open to diverse perspectives
Be transparent
Be accountable

13. Ethical guidelines - 3 Allocation of scare resources
Balance utility with equity
Fulfill reciprocity based obligations
Avoid corruption

14. Ethical guidelines - 4 Research design and implementation
Involve local researchers
Time sensitive ethics review
Address barriers to consent
Select appropriate methodology
Rapid data sharing
Equitable benefits to research outcomes

15. Ethical guidelines - 5 Emergency use of unproven interventions
Guidelines on fair distribution in the face of scarce resources
Minimise risk
Collect and share meaningful data
Engage community in decision making on product use

16. Applications for the local context

17. Consideration for Nigeria
Update of our public health laws to address consideration for research and use of unproven interventions during emergencies.
Strengthen our public health surveillance and our health emergency response system.
Local investment in research needs to improve
IRB competency needs to improve

18. conclusion

19. Be prepared Health emergencies result in large number of deaths.
Emergency preparedness only reduces the severity. Does not eliminate. It is however important to be prepared.
Recognising our limitation as a developing country and forming formidable forces in the region is critical.

20. Acknowledgement
My colleagues with whom I have worked on defining ethical considerations for Ebola research – Bridget Haire, Aminu Yakubu, Kris Peterson, Tegli Jamee, Brandon Brown.
GTHN for the invite.
Specially Dr Glory Ogunfowokan for for the support.