Students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila's College of Medicine may soon pursue their clinical clerkship at the Ospital ng Maynila to fulfill their requirements for graduation.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso approved PLM's request for the gradual reopening of the clinical clerkship program for aspiring doctors. They will render rotating duty at the city-funded medical institution as part of their final course requirements.
Mayor Domagoso officially approved PLM College of Medicine's proposal on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 following a meeting with University representatives. Data show that 107 out of 110 senior medicine students have signified their interest to start their clerkship duties this year.
"We are thankful to our beloved Mayor for allowing PLM's medicine students to pursue their clerkship amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We believe that this hands-on training will ensure that our future doctors will be of good caliber," PLM President Emmanuel Leyco said. "Their deployment at the Ospital ng Maynila will also boost the number of healing hands that will serve the city's patients.”
“PLM is committed to do its share in ensuring the continuous flow of health care professionals to serve the Filipino people, particularly during these most challenging times,” President Leyco added.
Mayor Domagoso endorsed the PLM College of Medicine's request for approval by the Commission on Higher Education. He met with Ospital ng Maynila Medical Director Dr. Karl Laqui, President Leyco, and College of Medicine Dean Dr. Angeline Alabastro on Wednesday morning.
The College of Medicine targets to start infection control training for the students on March 8, in anticipation of securing final approval from CHED.
PLM hosted a consultation with students, parents, and faculty about the planned clerkship activities on February 19, 2021. There, College of Medicine Assistant Dean Marita Fuentes assured that students will not be assigned to the emergency room, outpatient department, or COVID-19 wards of the Ospital ng Maynila.
This is in line with rules set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases last January, which gave the authority to local government officials to approve any requests for the resumption of face-to-face classes for medicine and health-related courses amid the COVID-19 pandemic.