Face-to-face classes at four Manila medical schools approved

Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno has given the ‘go-signal’ that four medical schools in the city will conduct face-to-face classes and clerkship programs.

Among the universities approved are the University of the City of Manila (PLM) College of Medicine, Metropolitan Medical Center College of Arts and Sciences, Chinese General Hospital Colleges, and Manila Theological College – College of Medicine.

ADVERTISEMENT

“What is the goal here? To produce doctors, nurses, midwives and all others allowed ng CHED to conduct face-to-face classes,” according to Moreno in his meeting before the officials of such universities.

He said that if such medical professionals can be produced next year, the city’s health care system will be strengthened in the midst of the pandemic.

PLM University President Emmanuel Leyco requested the gradual opening of their “clinical clerkship program” at the Manila Hospital.

ADVERTISEMENT

Metropolitan Medical Center College of Arts and Sciences Executive Vice President Remedior Habacon also called for the gradual opening of face-to-face classes and clinical clerkship under the Doctor of Medicine program.

Also read: CEO of St Luke’s Medical Center gets Sinovac vaccine

Face-to-face classes at four Manila medical schools approved

The Manila Theological College-College of Medicine requested that their 4th-year medical students be allowed to attend the limited “in-hospital duty” at Tondo Medical Center while the Chinese General Hospital Colleges requested that their hands-on pre-clinical training and clinical rotation ”in their campus laboratory and hospital.

ADVERTISEMENT

Moreno also offered free COVID-19 testing to their students and professors for everyone’s peace of mind.

Meanwhile, some senators recommended not to include schools in Metro Manila and other areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases in the planned .

They made the proposal as the Department of Education (DepEd) discusses its preparation for the pilot testing before the Senate basic education panel.

Senator Nancy Binay said pilot testing face-to-face classes in low-risk areas could convince President Rodrigo Duterte to finally approve it.

In December, Duterte recalled his order allowing a dry run of face-to-face classes in January 2021 in select areas after the UK COVID-19 variant was detected in the country.