Policy Brief: Establishing Clinical Ethics Committees (CECs) to address moral conflicts in Tanzania’s hospitals

Abstract

Studies have shown that moral conflicts are an inseparable part of daily clinical practice
(Beauchamp & Childress, 2019; Blanco Portillo et al., 2021; Kuhumba et al., 2024; Miljeteig
et al., 2019; Rasoal et al., 2016). A moral conflict in healthcare can occur when decisions are
made, in cases of uncertainty about what should be done, in case of a disagreement about
decisions, or when there is a conflict between ethical principles and values. For example, moral
conflicts related to questions such as the extent of decision-making authority a next of kin hold
regarding a patient’s care.