Medical student Andee Maglinao has been taking online classes at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) for almost 14 months.
He admitted it hadn’t been easy, especially in his course.
“It was a really difficult task and the transition to what we were used to. Everything had to be done online. There were a lot of limitations with the skills we had to do,” said Maglinao.
So Maglinao is very happy that he will be able to go back to school after the government allowed limited face-to-face classes in medical and allied health courses at some colleges and universities, including UST.
According to UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Ma. Lourdes Maglinao, They are still ready to implement in-person classes in March but this was thwarted when enhanced community quarantine was implemented in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.
“We really have planned this for a long time already. We saw the need for our students, especially the would-be doctors, to be exposed to all the necessary skills on how to manage patients,” the dean said.
To ensure that physical distancing is followed, only a limited number of students are admitted to skills areas or classrooms where their practical skills are honed.
The medicine student was also divided into groups.
Before entering the building, their temperature is taken first and they will not be allowed in if they have not scheduled.
Although all students and faculty members have been vaccinated against COVID-19, they still need to follow the minimum health protocols.
For the batch entering now, face-to-face classes will last until July, when another batch of future doctors will undergo physical classes.
UST also clarified that it will not force those who do not want to take face-to-face classes.
For three weeks now, limited in-person classes have continued for more than 100 medical students of the University of the City of Manila (PLM), who are currently undergoing their medical clerkship at the Manila Hospital.
According to PLM President Emmanuel Leyco, students cannot be assigned to the emergency room or COVID-19 ward.
Leyco stressed that the study should not be stopped, especially by medicine students, for the continuous availability of additional health workers who will help in the fight against COVID-19 of the country.
“It’s difficult to graduate without the experience to deal with patients,” said Leyco.
According to Leyco, the government should try to reach all teachers and students in the online classes.
“We really need help, especially from universities, for education to continue,” said Leyco.
PLM is currently preparing to implement limited face-to-face classes with their nursing and physical therapy students.
-Report by Bianca Dava, ABS-CBN News