The coronavirus is wreaking havoc in the world, and from schools to colleges to restaurants, everything is shut. Due to the pandemic, society as a whole is practicing social distancing and opting to stay at home.
However, the University of Health Sciences (UHS) recently announced to conduct various professional examinations, including MBBS, BDS, and MPhil exams from May 13, 2020, which were postponed in March this year due to coronavirus pandemic situation in the country, said the official press release.
The decision resulted in students who find it nonsensical to appear for exams during the current state.
What is UHS doing? Why are you calling Students in Pandemic? Don't you know all institutes are closed and you are experimenting corona on those students?
If any mishap will happen with any student VC of UHS will be answerable and will face the students!#DelayUHS_Exams pic.twitter.com/BzIf4UycEq— Rana Mehran Maqsood (@RanaMehan) May 29, 2020
Jahil tareen Insaan @jakramaimc #DelayUHS_Exams https://t.co/wnpue6N61p
— Fatemah Mashood (@FatemahMashood) May 29, 2020
The tweets poured in as students protest.
Dr Sana Fatima graduate from Fatima memorial has passed away. She had done her training in histopathology fcps from chugtais lab.
She had to undergo thoracic surgery after which she contracted covid-19. She died. #DelayUHS_Exams #delayUHSsupplyexams #waqarzaka @ZakaWaqar pic.twitter.com/qv2NN4cuf6— A. (a dot) (@AdeelOfficiall) May 29, 2020
#DelayUHS_Exams @jakramaimc @ImranKhanPTI @ChMSarwar https://t.co/sGcCxuRgEH
— Fatemah Mashood (@FatemahMashood) May 29, 2020
Students also mentioned the ones who lost their battles to COVID-19.
#DelayUHS_Exams https://t.co/yWBsBcBY9e
— Fatemah Mashood (@FatemahMashood) May 29, 2020
We’re losing our youth to the deadly virus! Yet, the authorities want #UHS exams to be conducted. If not utter callousness than what is it!! Healthcare system has collapsed, amplify the voices, #DelayUHS_Exams, boycott these or any exams https://t.co/Xr82WHFPvs
— Laila Raza (@LylaRaza) May 29, 2020
The Decision
The faculty meeting chaired by the Vice-Chancellor UHS Prof Javed Akram at UHC office came to this decision. It was decided that all the examinations will be conducted as per the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that were framed in the wake of COVID-19.
Moreover, the examinations include fourth professional MBBS and fourth professional BDS supplementary examination 2019, which would be started from May 13.
Similarly, the final professional DPT annual examination 2019, MPhil (Primary and Final) old yearly examination scheme 2020, MPhil Part-I (PU scheme) supplementary examination 2019 for Federal Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore and MPhil (Primary & Final) revised scheme annual examination 2020, which would be conducted from May 14.
Dates of the exams
Moreover, MPhil in basic dental sciences revised scheme annual examination 2020, and MPhil in medical laboratory sciences (first and the second year) annual examination 2019, would commence on May 15.
Whereas, Final prof MBBS supplementary examination 2019, would start from June 01. Likewise, MBBS additional prof examination 2019 and first prof BDS supplementary examination 2019, would be launched from June 02. The date sheet has been uploaded at UHS official website.
Following SOP’s
According to the SOPs issued by UHS, wearing of face cover and gloves were compulsory for candidates and examination staff. All examination centers shall have an adequate arrangement for temperature screening and provide sanitizers at convenient places.
The examination staff shall ensure social distancing inside the examination halls. There shall be a distance of at least two-meter between the candidates. The social distancing would also be provided at the entry and exit points of examination centers.
For viva/practical examination, not more than five candidates will be allowed in the lab/ward at one time. The examination centers will be sanitized before the start of each examination. Frequent cleaning of common surfaces and handwashing would be mandated for the examination staff.
Furthermore, UHS VC Prof Javed Akram has requested the candidates and their parents to cooperate with the varsity and strictly follow the SOPs.
Conclusion
We believe that amidst the given situation, this decision isn’t ideal, but according to WHO, the world needs to learn to live with the virus. Do you believe that conducting exams during social distancing and this pandemic is a sane idea? Would you appear for the exams if you were in the shoes on all the students? Let us know.