Importância dos Conselhos Consultivos Nacionais de Bioética em tempos de Covid-19: realidade e perspectivas de Angola / Importance of National Bioethics Advisory Councils in Covid-19 times: Angola's reality and perspectives

A Covid-19 trouxe ao mundo uma nova dinâmica de vida, obrigando que os Conselhos Consultivos Nacionais de Bioética de muitos países, principalmente os africanos (Togo, Argélia) e alguns europeus (França e Portugal), se reinventassem para se adequarem ao contexto. Dentro da sua linha de actuação os conselhos apenas opinam, sugerem, analisam e recomendam algumas medidas que poderiam ser tomadas diante de conflitos morais. O objectivodeste trabalho é apresentar o papel dos Conselhos Consultivos Nacionais de Bioética no enfrentamento dapandemia daCovid-19. O texto sustenta-se metodologicamente em um estudo documental e bibliográfico com abordagem qualitativa e de carácter exploratório. Nos resultados, foram encontradas informações sobre Conselhos Consultivo Nacionais de Bioética em África, bem como outros denominados por Comité Nacional de Bioética. Entretanto, constatou-se que de algum modo eles ajudam na manutenção dos conhecimentos sobre como lidar com a Covid-19, embora em alguns países africanos sejainexpressivo. É essencial ressaltar que um Conselho Consultivo Nacional de Bioética tem missão diferente de um Comité de Ética em Pesquisa, uma vez que o Conselho vela por questões de maior magnitude, como projectosque serão convertidos em políticas de Estado. Por fim,vale ressaltar que no caso africano, existe uma ausência de órgãos governamentais atinentes à bioética. E é de suma importância para os países africanos a implementação de órgão dessa dimensão (Conselho Nacional de Bioética) para permitir o diálogo de temas de bioética de complexa resolução como é o caso da Covid-19.

Covid-19 brought a new dynamic to the world, thus forcing the National Bioethics Advisory Councils of many countries, mainly African (Togo, Algeria) and some European (France and Portugal) to reinvent themselves to fit the context. Within their line of action, the councils only give opinions, suggest, analyse and recommend some measures that could be taken in the face of moral conflicts. The aim of this paper is to present the role of National Bioethics Advisory Councils in confronting the pandemic of Covid-19. The text is methodologically sustained in a documental and bibliographical study with a qualitative approach and of exploratory character. In the results, information was found on National Bioethics Advisory Councils in Africa, as well as others called National Bioethics Committee. However, it was found that some how they help in maintaining knowledge on how to deal with Covid-19, although in some African countries it is inexpressive. It is essential to emphasise that a National Bioethics Advisory Council has a different mission from a Research Ethics Committee, since the Council watches over issues of greater magnitude, such as projects that will be converted into State policies. Finally, it is worth noting that in the African case, there is an absence of governmental bodies pertaining to bioethics. And it is of utmost importance for African countries to implement such a body (National Bioethics Council) to enable dialogue on bioethical issues of complex resolution as is the case of Covid19.

Do Tanzanian hospitals need healthcare ethics committees? report on the 2014 dartmouth/penn research ethics training and program development for tanzania (DPRET) workshop

Ethical issues are common in the global community. The shortage of human and medical resources when working with vulnerable populations requires institutional support to address the challenges that often arise in the patient-provider relationship. The 2014 Dartmouth/Penn Research Ethics Training and Program Development for Tanzania (DPRET) workshop centred on discussions about research and clinical ethics issues unique to Tanzanian healthcare providers. This article discusses some of the ethical challenges that workshop participants reported in their day-to-day work life with patients and families, such as truth-telling, disagreements over treatment plans and patient distrust of local physicians and hospital staff, among others. The Tanzanian participants recognised the need for supportive mechanisms within their local hospital environments. Further dialogue and research on the development ofinstitutional ethics committees within hospital systems is critically needed so that healthcare providers can meet their ethical and professional obligations to patients and families and address ethical conflicts that arise in a timely and productive fashion

A review of the applications for involuntary admissions made to the Mental Health Review Boards by institutions in Gauteng in 2008

Aim. To review applications for involuntary admissions made to the Mental Health Review Boards (MHRBs) by institutions in Gauteng. Method. A retrospective review of the register/database of the two review boards in Gauteng for the period January - December 2008. All applications for admissions (involuntary and assisted inpatient) and outpatient care (involuntary and assisted), and periodic reports for continued care (inpatient or outpatient care) were included. Results. During the study period the two MHRBs received a total of 3 803 applications for inpatient care, of which 2 526 were for assisted inpatient care (48.1 regional hospitals, 29.6 specialised psychiatric hospitals, 22.2 tertiary academic hospitals). Of the applications for involuntary inpatient care, 73.1 were from the specialised psychiatric hospitals (65.2 from Sterkfontein Hospital). Applications for outpatient care; treatment and rehabilitation (CTR) numbered 1 226 (92 assisted outpatient CTR). Although the health establishments in northern Gauteng applied for more outpatient CTR compared with those in southern Gauteng (879 v. 347; respectively), the ratios of assisted to involuntary outpatient applications for CTR for each region were similar (approximately 12:1 and 9:1, respectively). The boards received 3 805 periodic reports for prolonged CTR (93.5 inpatient, 6.5 outpatient) in the majority of cases for assisted CTR. Conclusion. The study suggests that in the 4 years since the promulgation of the Mental Health Care Act (MHCA) in 2004, there have been significant strides towards implementation of the procedures relating to involuntary admission and CTR by all stakeholders. Differences in levels of implementation by the various stakeholders may result from differences in knowledge, perceptions, attitudes and understanding of their roles and therefore indicate the need for education of mental health care professionals and the public on a massive scale. The Department of Health also needs to invest more funds to improve mental health human resources and infrastructure at all health establishments