Global Health Ethics in LMICs: Challenges and Context By Dr. Rakhshi Memon

Global Health Ethics in LMICs: Challenges and Context By Dr. Rakhshi Memon

On February 27, 2026, Dr. Rakhshi Memon, CEO of MGF, presented Ethics in Context of Global Health at AAU-CHS-IRB. She highlighted that bioethics in LMICs remains underdeveloped, with patchy implementation of guidelines, limited training in clinical ethics, and weak governance structures, while systemic challenges include resource constraints, regulatory gaps, and power imbalances with high-income country partners. Dr. Memon emphasized the importance of cultural competence, noting how socio-cultural factors such as family involvement, privacy norms, stigma, and gender roles influence participation in clinical trials, and stressed that international standards like ICH GCP E6(R3) must be adapted to local realities. Her conclusion underscored that global health research must balance scientific credibility with ethical integrity, equity, and cultural responsiveness to ensure trust and meaningful engagement in diverse communities.