MBBS admission test Friday: Fear grips examinees as pandemic reaches peak

As the second wave of Covid-19 infections is wreaking havoc on the country with the daily infection rate reaching new highs almost every day, the Directorate General of Medical Education has taken all-out preparations to hold the MBBS admission test for the 2021-22 academic session on Friday in compliance with health guidelines.

All examinees, invigilators and other officials have to strictly follow the health guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation and the Ministry of Health.

Examinees will have to keep a distance of at least 4 feet from one another at exam halls and on average 30 students will be accommodated in a room to avert transmission of the virus during exam hours.

Dr AHM Enayet Hussain, director general of the medical education directorate, told The Business Standard that they have taken the measures considering the current Covid-19 situation.

He also appeared confident that they will be able to complete the examinations without exacerbating the infection situation.

"There is nothing to worry about the health issues of the examinees and their guardians, as health guidelines will be followed properly," he said.

Meanwhile, examinees and their guardians have expressed worries about health risks as the country reported a record daily rise in infections on Thursday.

Some 6,469 coronavirus positive cases were registered in the past 24 hours, while the number of daily fatalities from the virus was recorded at 59 – the highest since March 2020.

An examinee, Jannatul Naim Jeba told TBS that the test is essential for them but health safety should come first.

"About 6,500 positive cases means the novel coronavirus infections have reached their peak in the country. Therefore, it will be definitely risky to hold the medical admission test amid this situation."

Another admission seeker, Ahasan Habib said, "I had no worries about the coronavirus infection even a week ago. But now the country's situation is not good at all. I am now worried as I might be infected during the test," he said.

Pointing out that over 3 lakh people will move during the examinations, Anwar Hossan, a guardian, said there is a maximum possibility of contracting the virus during the test. "The government should hold this exam once the situation becomes normal. Other examinations are not being held now as well," he said.

Some 1,22,874 students are going to sit for the examination at 55 venues across the country for 4,350 seats in 47 government medical colleges across the country.

The examinees who will not be able to get admitted to government medical colleges will apply for private medical colleges. Some 8,340 seats are available in 70 private medical colleges across the country.

Measurers to hold the test smoothly

To hold the examinations smoothly and prevent virus transmission, the medical education directorate will not allow anyone to enter the exam centres without wearing facemasks, with high temperature and other symptoms of Covid-19.

The authorities have set up thermal scanners and auto-spray machines at the entrance of the exam centres.  

Members of law enforcement agencies will be deployed to avert any untoward incident during the examinations. They will remain vigilant to check question paper leaks and other forgeries during the exam hours.

No examinee will be allowed to carry any kind of paper with them.