Medicos who tested COVID positive before practicals seek re-exam, file plea against MUHS

The medicos have been identified as respectively pursuing their courses from GMC Aurangabad and GMC Nagpur. One of the students is a postgraduate medical student of MS (Ortho) while the other was pursuing a postgraduate diploma in child health. Both the students were tested COVID positive on September 7 just a day before their practical examination which was scheduled for September 8.

UGC previously issued its guideline on July 6 and clarified that students who will miss the chance to appear for exams due to COVID-19 will be given a chance to appear for the exam later however no such initiative has been taken by the University yet, they alleged.

The student pursuing MS stated that multiple emails and letters which were written by the dean of their college and him to the authorities of MUHS have gone to deaf ears. He told The Indian Express that "I was not permitted by MUHS to give the exam as they didn't have any guidelines, though I was physically fit to attend the exam. On the day of the exam, university officials assured me over the phone that my exam will be taken once I test negative. My swab test was found negative on September 11," but after contacting the authorities he has not secured any response yet. The other medico pursuing a PG diploma while talking about the gravity of the situation explained that not appearing for the practical exam will make it impossible for her to appear for the DNB exams as well which was scheduled on January 10th the next year.

Previously on September 9th, the Medical Student Welfare Association also submitted a letter to MUHS where they provided them with the details of the two students pursuing a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery at Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pusad. Dr Nilesh Jadhav associated with the Medical Student's Welfare Association Maharashtra told TIE that "Both the final year students tested positive two days before final year exam. Despite requesting MUHS to help them by conducting re-exam, and helping them save their academic year, no response has been received by the university. Several such students are waiting for a fair opportunity."

The association has been vocal about the problem that many of the COVID positive students will be unable to sit for the examination as they had to stay in mandatory quarantine after being tested positive and raised the issue in social media as well. The association posted that " Last year students of medical branch who could not appear for the exam due to COVID POSITIVE should re-CONDUCT their exam with Arogya Vidyapeet."