In a letter by Prof. Mary J.N. Okwakol, the Executive Director National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) dated 7thAugust 2021 that this site got hold of directed to all vice chancellors and principle medical and health practising institutions, NHCE issued guidelines to follow after an inter ministerial meeting that was held on 4th August 20 21 following the president’s directive on 30th july to open medical schools in a safe manner.
The disciplines considered include medical and surgery, dental surgery, pharmacy, midwife, paramedical, radiology and laboratory technology.
It was agreed that medical and health training institutions will open on the 30th of this month starting with finalists and postgraduate classes and there after other year students joining in a staggered manner maintaining a 33% maximum number at institutions at any given time.
However students and teachers must first be vaccinated before they can start school either where they reside or, in case they fail, at the institution gates before they enter.
Preclinical classes were encouraged to use Open Distance Electric Learning and only go for practicum when conditions permit.
According to the letter, medical students are part and percale of the medical doctors to be vaccinated when vaccines arrive and are encouraged to take the vaccine while medical staff and teachers are categorised in the teachers section and must also get vaccinated before reporting for duty.
Students will be required to procure thier own face masks.
The institutions are expected to observe and enforce SOPs in libraries, transportation, play grounds, common rooms among other converging areas to prevent the spread of the virus.
Testing will be done only when a person gets symptoms and anti Gen tests will be used.
Prof. Mary cautioned Medical students not to repeat incidents that may lead to rapid spread of the virus as previously and said that inspection will take place to ensure set gudliness are followed.
With some students commuting off campus, it is not clear if all students will be residents in thier institutions however of they will commute from home we are not sure how the ministry and National Council will plan on transport because with the use of public transport that is not sanitised it will be difficult not to bring in infections.
