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Institute of Public Health

Ethics

Quality research to strengthen health systems is an important objective of IPH. With an increase in staff, projects and funding, the need for emphasis on quality research remains a priority at IPH. There are however two sides to this – encouraging innovative concepts in research on one side while respecting human rights on the other. The current scene in Indian research is quite chaotic and hence, it is vulnerable to unethical practices. Hence, while we recognise the needed focus on health system research in a developing country like ours, we also recognise the importance to protect its vulnerable population from any harm even if it is unintended.

Owing to the paucity of ethics committees available to researchers in South India, IPH constituted an Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) in February 2010. This was a step that re-emphasised its commitment to the highest principles of ethics in its research and action.

Composition

Seven members of the IEC are from external institutions with experience and competence in their fields. The remaining two are faculty from IPH. The members of the current IEC are:

  1. Vasundhara MK– Chairperson (Retired Professor,  Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute)
  2. GD Murthy – Deputy Chairperson (Co-editor, Sri Vidyaganapathi Prakashana)
  3. Aditi Iyer (Research coordinator, Centre for Public Policy, Indian Institute of Managament, Bangalore)
  4. Asha Kilaru (Independent Public health researcher)
  5. Jayna Kothari (High court advocate and founder of Centre for Law and Policy Research
  6. Nirmala Murthy (President, Foundation for Research in Health Systems)
  7. Roopa Devadasan (Teacher, Shibhumi school and Faculty, IPH)
  8. SJ Chander (Project director, Sankalp project, Karnataka)
  9. Tanya Seshadri – Member secretary (Faculty, IPH)

Functioning

The IEC initially met twice a year or when needed. From this year, the IEC will meet once a quarter on a pre-determined date. All research taken up by IPH passes through the IEC. Compliance with all the comments and observations of the IEC is compulsory for all staff of IPH. The last meeting of the IEC was held on 24th Mar 2012.

The next meeting has been tentatively scheduled on 9th June 2012. 

Submission procedure

Complete proposals following submission instructions laid our in IPH IEC Standard Operational Procedures  are to be submitted to the member secretary at least 2 weeks before the quarterly IEC meeting. (The IEC SOP will be available on the website soon). The IEC reviews 2 fresh proposals during every meetings. Currently, there is no fee charged. Priority is given to applications from IPH and partner organisations.
The last date for submission of proposals is 26th May 2012.
All proposals are to be sent to : tanya AT iphindia.org
Last updated on 27th Apr 2012