Amid the high rate of coronavirus infections in the country medical college admission test for the academic year 2020-2021 were taken neglecting health safety rules and 18-point directives of Prime Minister’s Office.
The test started at 10:00am in tandem on Friday in 55 centers across the country, including in the capital.
Earlier, the Ministry of Health said that the test will be conducted in accordance with the COVID-19 health directives provided by the government.
But the centers were seen congested by the students and their guardians. Many of the examinees did not have masks on their faces. Insufficient sanitation arrangements were made at the entrances of the centers but even then, the test-takers did not comply with.
Apart from this, no instructions were hung regarding carparking in and around the examination center.
But the Dhaka University campus was seen clogged by the various vehicles, even a bus belonging to Dhaka Medical College Hospital was seen parked in front of Arts Faculty of the university.
The same congestion of both traffic and test-takers along with their guardians prevailed in and around Udayan High School, Badrunnesa Mohila Government College, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka College and Teacher Training College.
Like many candidates Rafatul Alvi, a student, who came for the admission test, expressed frustration and anger at the non-compliance with the health safety rules at the Arts Faculty of Dhaka University.
He said, “No one is aware of the prevention of coronavirus infection and none is following the hygiene rules and maintaining personal distances. All I have to do is to sit for the test braving the risk of infections.”
When asked about this allegations Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, President of Bangladesh Medical Association denied all of these allegations of taking tests without following the health guidelines over COVID-19 properly.
This year, 1,22,761 students have applied for the examinations.
Around 28 students contested for each seat as 47,000 students participated in the medical admission test in 15 centers of Dhaka.
The candidates are vying for 4,350 seats in 37 government medical colleges. The admission test is being held under 19 medical colleges in 15 cities. Of these, examinations are being held in Dhaka under five medical colleges.
ris/wi
