Fortis heart institute can now conduct high-ethical research

Fortis Escorts Heart Institute (FEHI) has become first corporate hospital in India to get accredited by an international forum to conduct high-ethical standard research.

The announcement was made at the annual conference of Strategic Initiative for Developing Capacity in Ethical Review (SIDCER) in Nagasaki, Japan.

SIDCER is a network of independently established regional fora for ethical review committees, health researchers and partner organisations. Its primary objective is to contribute to human subject protection by developing local capacity for ethical review of research involving humans and develop policies on the ethics of health research.

FEHI regional director Harinder Chehal said the recognition came to the institute among several other hospitals conducting research on human trials. "Till date only government-run medical institutions in India have made it to the list," he said.