Education CS George Magoha has okayed the resumption of face-face learning for medical students.
In a letter addressed to Vice-Chancellors across universities, Magoha said the move is in light of the COVID-19 situation which has precipitated an urgent need to train and assess medical students.
This, he said, will play a key role in supporting the dearth inadequate healthcare personnel to fight the pandemic.
"Consideration has been given to the request for face-to-face learning and assessment of medical students. This is further informed by a physical inspection of facilities to ascertain the level of preparedness for the resumption of face-to-face learning," read part of Magoha's letter dated August 31.
The Chief Executive Officer/Registrar, Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council had written to the Deans of School of Medicine and Dentistry in August requesting that final years be allowed to undertake clinical exams.
Magoha said the re-opening of the College of Health Sciences for final year medical students to undertake their mandatory clinical examinations will however be granted on condition that the students use the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when rotating at the hospital.
"The students must be trained on the proper donning and doffing of PPE gear, Universities must manage any suspected COVID-19 cases affecting their students in their isolation and quarantine facilities awaiting results. The decision of home-based care or hospital management must be in accordance with the Ministry of Health guidelines and protocols," Magoha said.
He said the number of students per rotation must be limited to permit social distancing norms and all Ministry of Health guidelines must be adhered to in order to mitigate COVID-19.
Magoha said failure to adhere to the relevant Ministry of Health guidelines and protocols on COVID-19 shall trigger immediate closure.
