FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MOVES TO INAUGURATE E-PORTAL FOR HEALTH RESEARCH.

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to launch an electronic portal to revolutionize health research proposal submissions and approvals in Nigeria. 

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, disclosed this at the opening of a two-day workshop on ‘Electronic Portal Protocol Management System and National Ethics Standardization Sensitization’ in Abuja on Thursday, for members of the National Health Research Ethics Committee (NHREC).

Dr. Salako, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Kamil Shotirere, said the portal is expected to be operational by the end of 2025, will enhance the country's capacity for high-quality, ethically reviewed research.

The Minister explained that the e-portal, which will allow researchers to submit proposals, pay fees, and track their status in real-time, would improve efficiency, reduce delays, and harmonize procedures nationwide, adding that the government hopes to attract more international partners and funding for research.

He stated that the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen research ethics review processes in Nigeria, noting that with support from partners like the Gates Foundation, the government is committed to building a robust system that protects research participants and ensures data integrity.

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