No delay in exams, PG med students in a state of fear
A feeling of uncertainty is peaking among post-graduate medical students who face their exams on June 20. Despite several requests, the Kaloji Narayan Rao University of Health Sciences (KNRUHS), Warangal, has refused to postpone the exams.
The students want the exams postponed by at least four to six weeks. “We are regularly hearing about our colleagues testing positive or their contacts being sent into quarantine. How can one be expected to study in such an environment,” a PG student asked.
Another student, living in a medical college hostel, said: “The situation is very confusing. We want to take the exams but this urgency is not needed. Other universities have postponed the exams until the pandemic comes under control.”
The Medical Council of India only gave guidelines to hold exams till June 30 but that should be done keeping in view the situation. “It is even more difficult for those who are living in hostels. After the positive cases in the hostel premises, we are not sure who among us is an asymptomatic carrier. What if we infect our families once we go back home,” the student said.
It is learnt that for the PG students who tested positive, it is no longer about the degree. This group is concerned about recovering from the disease and ensuring that the stigma around Covid-19 doesn’t affect their families.
Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association president Dr K. Mahesh Kumar, questioned the hurry to conduct the exams. “These students have done their duties until May 11, without any stipend. Pressurising them to appear for exams with 20 days’ notice is not fair. The university is not even prepared to hold the exams.
There has been no decision as to where these exams will be conducted. Gandhi Hospital is a
Covid-19 centre, the Osmania Medical College is a hotspot. What if these students get infected while taking exams and carry the virus to their families? Who will take the responsibility,” he asked.
Responding to the criticism, KNRUHS Vice Chancellor Dr B. Karunakar Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that the university was following MCI guidelines.
He said that more than the representations requesting postponement of exams, he was receiving requests from parents to complete the exams.
“We have postponed the exams twice. If I accept the demand, I don’t know when we will be able to hold the exams. Students have had enough time. Those infected will recover and get discharged soon. They will have about 14 days,” he said.On who will take responsibility if a student contracts Covid while writing exams, Dr Reddy said, “tell me who is taking responsibility of those going to offices, or out on the streets?”