Medical colleges to reopen from Sept 13: Minister Maleque

DHAKA, Sept 2, 2021 (NM) – The government has decided to reopen the medical colleges, and nursing institutions of the country from September 13 in phases.  Health Minister Zahid Maleque made the announcement during a press briefing at the Secretariat in Dhaka on Thursday.

“We have decided to resume classes at all medical institutions, including government, private, Delta and nursing colleges, from September 13. It may defer by a day or two but eventually, all medical institutions will be opened in a phased way,” he said.

“The authorities concerned have taken all preparations for the resumption of in-person classes and the teachers and students have also been covered under the nation-wide vaccination program,” Zahid said.  There are 1.5 lakh medical students in the country and they have all been asked to attend classes following all Covid-safety protocols, he added. “However, the decision could change considering the Covid situation in the country at the time.”  When asked about the reopening of schools, colleges, and public universities, the minister said: “An inter-ministerial meeting will be held soon to decide on the matter.

“Schools will resume following the vaccination of the students. They will get the Moderna and Pfizer jabs on a priority basis.”  Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the government was taking all necessary measures to reopen educational institutions in the country at the earliest.  “We’ve been able to control the coronavirus to a large extent. There’s no more problem regarding vaccines… I’ve already directed (the authorities concerned) to reopen schools and colleges soon,” she said.

The Prime Minister said this when she joined a discussion over a motion placed in Parliament to condole the death of Awami League MP Hasibur Rahman Swapan (Sirajganj-6).  Earlier on August 26, the government again extended the closure of secondary and higher secondary level educational institutions until September 11 considering the Covid-19 situation in the country.  The government shut the educational institutions on March 17 last year days, after the country reported its first Covid-19 cases. The closure was extended several times, most recently until August 31.