HARARE – JUNE 19, 2025 

Zimbabwe is modernizing its medical research governance and accelerating digital ethics review systems after decades under outdated regulations. The MRCZ, established in 1974 under the Rhodesian Government Notice 225, has operated under a legal framework that has remained unchanged for over 50 years. In response to the growing complexity of health research driven by HIV, TB, and emerging health challenges, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in collaboration with MRCZ, initiated consultations to draft a new Medical Research Bill to modernize oversight and promote innovation. 

DIGITAL ETHICS REVIEW SYSTEM UNDER THE TRACE PROJECT: A GAME-CHANGER

In parallel with legislative reforms, the TRACE Zimbabwe initiative is spearheading the development of a digital ethics review system to streamline clinical trial approvals. The proposed platform will integrate workflows between MRCZ and the MCAZ to replace fragmented, manual processes and will include:  

• End-to-end review tracking for clinical trials.
• Reduced reliance on proprietary code and costly external consultants.
• Enhanced transparency through governance and cost-sharing models.

Next Steps: 

The roadmap includes finalizing the Bill, accelerating digitalization, and conducting capacity-building sessions for ethics committees. Stakeholder engagement will continue to ensure alignment with global best practices and Zimbabwe’s national priorities. As Prof. Tendayi Kureya of MRCZ noted during the TRACE update, “Modernizing our systems and legal frameworks is not just a compliance issue; it is about enabling ethical, efficient, and innovative research that benefits our communities.”