Be lenient to medical students, hospitals urged

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has urged hospitals serving as training centers for medical and nursing students to exercise leniency and explore alternative modes of education.

CHED chairman J. Prospero de Vera III said they have received reports that some hospitals with confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are requiring students to continue their rotation duties amid the increasing number of cases.

De Vera said some hospitals warned students that failure to comply would mean having to repeat their internship program.

“The commission appeals to the officials of these hospitals to exercise leniency during this difficult time and explore alternative modes that will continue the medical training and education of their students without compromising their safety,” he said.

The CHED official also urged higher education institutions to exercise discretion in field deployment for the National Service Training Program and allowing school-based activities.

He also called for alternative activities to enable students to complete required practicum and on-the-job training hours.

On holding classes, De Vera advised tertiary institutions to deploy available distance learning, e-learning and other alternative modes of delivery in lieu of residential learning if they have resources to do so.

Private colleges and university are permitted to implement measures to address the needs of students amid the COVID-19 outbreak without having to obtain permission from CHED.

The commission, however, said the education institutions should inform CHED in writing and coordinate with its regional offices so that guidance and assistance can be given as the need arises.

De Vera said higher education institutions should establish plans and procedures in case COVID-19 transmission is confirmed among their students and employees.