There are 2 types of approvals required to enable one conduct research in KBTH:

1. Administrative Approval

This is usually issued to students up to undergraduate degree level OR studies undertaken by departments who do not require Full Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the purposes of undertaking operational research/KBTH Funded studies. However, if the results are to be published, a Full IRB approval would be required.

Application Procedure

• Contact Research office with the following:
  • One Copy of Full Proposal (refer to Proposal Format -Include active contact mobile number)
  • Letter of introduction from school/supervisor/Head of Department
• Receive invoice to make a non-refundable application fee payment (if required) at the Finance General (2nd Floor, Central Administration Blk) and submit receipt.
• Application will be processed and researcher will be contacted when approval issued.

ALL OTHER STUDIES MUST APPLY FOR FULL IRB APPROVAL.

2. Full IRB approval

The Institutional Review Board of KBTH is made up of two committees (Scientific and Technical Committee-STC & Ethics Committee) that review applications. Researchers will receive comments and decisions after each committees’ review date. Applicants should allow a minimum of 2 months for the review process.

There however exists expedited review option for eligible applications (Contact Research office for further enquiries). Expedited reviews attract an extra 50% of review fees.

Application Procedure (Electronic Submission only)

• Submit all application documents as per KBTH guidelines (refer to Proposal Format) preferably as one pdf file to the Research Office via email rdo@kbth.gov.gh.
• For students/residents, supervisor’s signature is required.
• Receive invoice from Research office to make a non-refundable application fee payment at the Finance General (2nd Floor, Central Administration Blk) and submit electronic copy of receipt. Alternatively, Dollar payments can be made to Korle Bu Dollar Account below:

Bank: Stanbic Bank Branch: Dansoman Account Name: Korle Bu Dollar Account Account Number: 9040004748322 Swift Code: SBICGHAC

• Upon receipt of payment, application process begins.
• Researchers are to be guided by deadlines as per Committees schedules (Annual Events Calendar)
• Research Office will send comments and decisions to applicant via email.
• There are 4 decisions: approve, approve after modification, deferred approval and disapprove. If there are comments to be made before approval is given, applicant is expected to address the comments in the proposals and include a cover letter responding to each comment. The corrected proposal is then sent as (a) above. Disapproved applications would require a completely new application for consideration.
• Research office will contact applicant when Final KBTH-IRB approval is ready for collection.
• For further enquiries, you may contact the Research Office via email rdo@kbth.gov.gh or Telephone 0302739510 ext. Research Office/Medical Directorate.