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NHG Health Office of Human Research Protection Programme (OHRPP)

Research Compliance Unit (RCU)

The NHG Health Research Compliance Unit (RCU) ensures compliance with Singapore's Human Biomedical Research Act. Learn about its five key areas, from research data management to responsible conduct of research.

Last updated 8 July 2026

Establishment & Scope

The NHG Health Research Compliance Unit (RCU) ensures NHG Health’s compliance with Singapore's Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA).

The NHG Health Research Compliance Unit oversees 5 key portfolios:

Research Institution Secretariat

The NHG Health Research Institution (RI) is responsible for ensuring that all human biomedical research conducted under its supervision and control is in compliance with the HBRA.

For the purpose of coordinating research across collaborative studies, the RI of the submitting/lead Principal Investigator will be assumed as the lead RI.

About the Research Institution (RI) Policy
The RI Policy outlines the functions and duties of NHG Health RI and duties of the NHG Health Principal Person-In-Charge (PIC) to fulfill the requirements of the HBRA and describes the NHG Health research governance framework that enables the RI to meet the requirements of the HBRA and other relevant Acts and regulations applicable to research. This also outlines the roles and responsibilities of the following committees that provide oversight of human biomedical research (HBR) activities in NHG Health:

  • Research Committee (RC)

  • Research Ethics Committee (REC)

  • Tissue Compliance Committee (TCC)

  • Research Data Oversight Committee (RDOC)

Download the NHG Health Research Institution (RI) Policy here (opens in new tab) (Restricted: NHG Health Intranet access required).

Research Data Secretariat

The NHG Health Research Data Secretariat (RDS) provides support to the NHG Health Principal Person-In-Charge (PIC) to oversee cluster policies and procedures on the use and management of research data. Research Data Working Committee (RDWC) will work with the RDS to make recommendations for the improvement of research data management practices to ensure compliance with legislations, in particular the HBRA, the PDPA and HIM.

Learn more about Managing Research Data here.

Tissue Compliance Committee Secretariat

The NHG Health Tissue Compliance Committee (TCC) was formed to advise on the set up, conduct and monitoring of institutional human tissue banks. The TCC comprises representatives from each NHG Health institution.

Learn more about Human Tissue Management here.

Execution of Proactive Monitoring Framework

Under the Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA), part 5, section 23(2), each Research Institution (RI) is required to supervise, review and proactively monitor its human biomedical research (HBR) studies.

In NHG Health, a monitoring framework was developed to meet this statutory requirement. The objectives of the NHG Health Monitoring Programme are to:

(i) Safeguard the safety and well-being of the research participants;

(ii) Ensure good quality and integrity of the research data; and to

(iii) Ensure the conduct of the study is in accordance to applicable regulations, policies and guidelines

The NHG Health Monitoring Programme focuses on PI-Initiated studies conducted in NHG Health institutions. The extent of monitoring depends on the nature and risks of the study and the experience of the PI.

Learn more about the NHG Health Monitoring Programme here.

Responsible Conduct of Research Secretariat

The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) unit aims to equip our researchers with the knowledge of best practices in research to guide them in making the right decisions. This would be especially applicable in instances that challenge individual values and integrity. 

Learn more about Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) here.

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