As MBBS colleges prepare to reopen, RT-PCR test must for students, staff

As MBBS colleges prepare to reopen, RT-PCR test must for students, staff

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:  30.11.2020 

Just as with arts and engineering colleges which reopened a fortnight ago, students and faculty of MBBS colleges, which are slated to reopen on Tuesday, will have to compulsorily undergo RTPCR tests and produce the report to be allowed back on campuses.

The government has allowed all medical, dental, Ayush, paramedical, nursing and pharmacy colleges affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) to reopen from December 1. K Sudhakar, health minister, has requested colleges to adhere to safety guidelines prescribed by the government.

As per standard operating procedure issued by RGUHS, staff and students must undergo the test in ICMR-approved state government laboratories. They must obtain reports no later than three days before rejoining college (between November 28 and 30 for classes from December 1). Any student who develops symptoms must take an RT-PCR test afresh. Students must also produce consent letters from parents.

In its SOP document, RGUHS has asked institutions to evaluate “local situations” and implement the advisory accordingly. “Institutions may plan to reopen their campuses in a phased manner, ensuring safety, health and wellbeing of all students and staff. They should be flexible in their plan and should be ready to handle any eventuality arising due to Covid-19,” RGUHS states.

Every institution has also been asked to constitute disaster and medical emergency (preparedness and management) teams (DMET). Each team must have a public health specialist, microbiologist, psychologist, medical social worker and counsellor. The team should be updated periodically on medical emergencies and/or disasters.

A nodal officer must be appointed in other health sciences institutions who can take up DMET activities. MoU should be made with the nearest medical college/hospital/ appropriate bodies for DMET training and execution of activities.

Social distancing

The varsity has directed classes to be divided into different batches if class strength is more than expected. It has said in-person classes should be conducted for only 1/3rd of capacity in different batches. It has suggested avoiding many assignments which may demand frequent travel outside the campus.

Protocol for exams

College authorities must prepare a micro-plan on the number of students, classrooms, teachers, staff, seating arrangements for students, vehicles and movement plan, marking of boxes on the floor outside the examination hall, etc. Colleges have been asked to train invigilators and staff prior to examinations. Students must report at least one hour prior to the scheduled time.

Infected students must take exams in a separate centre/room. They must inform the college beforehand and produce a medical certificate from their treating physician certifying that they are fit to sit for the examination. The candidate must also submit “risk consent” to take the exam.

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WARDING OFF THE VIRUS

Only colleges that are outside containment zones to function.

Students and staff living in containment zones barred from attending classes on campus.

All institutions with healthcare facilities (hospitals) must continue patient-centric care and academic activities cautiously.

Only one student per seat is allowed on college buses. Each bus should carry only 1/3rd its capacity to maintain physical distance.

PRECAUTIONS FOR HOSTELS

Hostel students travelling from international destinations need to enrol on http://sevasindhu.karantaka.gov.in/Sevasindhu/English.

All hostel establishments must have adequate light and a good ventilation system.

Fumigation/disinfection/ sanitisation must be carried out in the hostel regularly. These activities need to be documented on a housekeeping checklist.

A separate restroom should be provided exclusively for students to freshen up as soon as they return from the hospital, with facilities to dip clothes in disinfection solutions.