Yorme greenlights in-classroom learning for med schools

The local chief executive’s decision came following a meeting he held with representatives from the Chinese General Hospital Colleges, Manila Theological College-College of Medicine, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Medicine and the Metropolitan Medical Center College of Arts and Sciences

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso yesterday approved the resumption of limited, face-to-face classes of four medical schools and likewise offered the free swab testing being given by the city government should their students need it.

The move was in consideration of the significant role that those in the medical profession and allied health care services play in light of the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“First, we cannot afford to go even a year of not being able to produce doctors, nurses, and allied colleges of medicine because some of the subject of those wanting to be doctors or nurses require them to be physically present and they wouldn’t be able to graduate if they do not do this,” Domagoso said.

“They are our future medical frontliners so naturally, in their hearts and minds, they know how not to get infected. They know the worst case scenario,” he added.

The local chief executive’s decision came following a meeting he held with representatives from the Chinese General Hospital Colleges, Manila Theological College-College of Medicine, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Medicine, and the Metropolitan Medical Center College of Arts and Sciences.

Further noting the need for future medical practitioners to rise in numbers, Domagoso said that he automatically approved the requests, fully trusting school authorities that they will ensure that all safety protocols will be followed to the letter.

It was learned that the Metropolitan Medical Center College of Arts and Sciences Executive represented by Vice President Remedios Habacon and the PLM both requested for the gradual opening of their clinical clerkship program.

The Manila Theological College-College of Medicine, meanwhile, requested for their 4th year medical students to be allowed to conduct limited, in-hospital duty at the Tondo Medical Center.

The Chinese General Hospital Colleges, on the other hand, wanted to bring back its hands-on, pre-clinical training and clinical rotation in the campus laboratory and hospital for their students under its Doctor of Medicine, BS Nursing, BS Medical Technology, BS Radiologic Technology and BS Physical Therapy programs.

Moreno had already approved the request of the University of Santo Tomas and Centro Escolar University for the conduct of face-to-face classes and clinical training or internship in response to the need for doctors, nurses and other medical professionals.

The approval of the proposed gradual reopening of the clinical clerkship program of the PLM-College of Medicine sa Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center is in full compliance with Joint Memorandum Circular 2021-001 issued by the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Health.