Med colleges in TN gear up for reopening on Monday

Med colleges in TN gear up for reopening on Monday

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:04.12.2020

Eight months since they shut doors, government medical colleges across Tamil Nadu will reopen to students on Monday.

The directorate of medical education has asked college administrations to ask students from second to final year to report to campus with RT-PCR negative report. “Arrangements have been made to test students who have symptoms of the viral infection or those who come without the test reports,” said director of medical education Dr Narayanababu R.

All colleges have set up teams to receive students on campus and at hostels. Students will not be allowed to leave hostels to ensure that they don’t risk catching the infection. “We are asking students to wear masks and maintain social distance at all times. We have ensured facilities for hand wash and sensitisation,” Kilpauk Medical College hospital dean Dr P Vasanthamani said. “With our experience, we know that most students will be asymptomatic even if they have the infection. Their recovery rate is high too.”

Earlier, the National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex body that monitors medical education, issued an advisory to chief secretaries of states advising the reopening of medical colleges from December 1. The guidelines for reopening were also issued. “We have given adequate time for students to prepare themselves for the return. Life on campus will be different, but we will ensure they are safe when learning, including when practical sessions commence,” said Stanley Medical College dean Dr Balaji.