Galvez says face-to-face classes for medical schools on “case to case basis”

December 2, 2020

The National Task Force Against COVID-19 is eyeing to resume face-to-face classes for medical schools.

NTF Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr., in the "Laging Handa" televised press briefing on Wednesday, however, said holding of physical classes would be on a "case-to-case basis."

He made the statement after he and Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Prospero de Vera III visited on Tuesday Fatima University, a medical school, in Valenzuela City and checked its preparation for possible holding of physical classes.

After seeing the preparation and reconfiguration of the Fatima University, he said if the government would see the need for more health workers, face- to-face classes might be considered.

"That's why, it's good to bring back face-to-face (classes), especially in the so-called medical schools and the medical courses so that we can have a relief for our health workers," he said.

Galvez said physical classes on courses offering other "essential services" might also be considered.

He cited the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases last October allowing face-to-face clinical internship program in state-run Philippine General Hospital.

He said this was allowed because "we really need alternate health workers."

"This so-called face-to-face classes is case-to-case basis; they can't open until we have inspected them," he said.

Galvez said CHED has given the guidelines before to various colleges and universities, especially for the graduating classes, to prepare for possible physical classes.

"What we should only do is we inspect the facility so that there is a third party that will really validate if they follow the minimum health standards and the reengineering and reconfiguration stated by the DOH (Department of Health) on minimum health standard protocols," he explained.

Since March when the government placed most parts of the country under lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19, physical classes in all levels have been suspended. Currently, classes are being held through various means, including online. Celerina Monte/DMS