Documentary Assessment of the Abilities of Kyrgyzstan's Research Ethics Committees During Public Health Emergency and Non-Emergency Situations

Institutional Research Ethics Committees (RECs) play crucial roles in the impartial and competent review of scientific research, particularly during public health emergencies. In this report, we examined their ability and capacity to provide this basic service during public health emergencies and non-emergency situations. Our qualitative documentary analysis revealed that there are currently no legal regulations guiding the activities of Kyrgyz RECs during public health emergencies. In addition, major policy gaps exist in how RECs should operate in non-emergency circumstances. This lack of guidance highlights the urgent need to develop and implement ethical guidelines to meet the evolving needs of such emergencies. Our findings underscore the growing urgency of supporting capacity building of RECs to respond effectively to future pandemics and other public health crises.

Automated summary

In this report, we examined the ability and capacity of Institutional Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in Kyrgyzstan to provide impartial and competent review of scientific research during public health emergencies and non-emergency situations. Our findings revealed that there are currently no legal regulations guiding the activities of Kyrgyz RECs during public health emergencies, and significant policy gaps exist in non-emergency circumstances. This lack of guidance emphasizes the urgent need to develop ethical guidelines to meet the evolving needs of such emergencies, and to support capacity building of RECs for effective response to future pandemics and public health crises.