By Lindsay Marie Borres, BA ELS-4 OJT
May the response be “Sanaol!” because over 150 Fourth-year medical laboratory students started their limited face-to-face internship last November 30, 2021, at Iloilo Mission Hospital, the partner hospital of Central Philippine University. They were divided into 2 batches, batch one is composed of four groups and batch two is made up of three groups.
We can recall that Central Philippine University was one of the 24 higher education institutions (HEIs) that passed the stringent retrofitting and health standards imposed by CHED, DOH, and IATF-EID. HEIs that are included in the list were allowed to hold limited face-to-face classes effective the second semester AY 2020-2021.
According to Zayan Mary Fernandez, one of the intern Medtech students, they were nervous back then since it was their first time immersing in an actual workplace. They were clueless on what to do as if they have zero knowledge and exposure but at the same time it was a wonderful experience since it’s a better learning setup where they could easily pick up the lesson and procedures compared to an online class setting. She also commended the staff for being kind and helpful in nurturing and guiding them, thus, making them feel like a registered medical laboratory scientist at work.
However, for Hezron Barrato, a native of Laua-an Antique it was difficult for him financially because they need to buy PPEs and they need to ride a taxi as transportation for safety precautions. Physically it was also a struggle because they have to undergo Swab tests every after rotation and they need to wake up early which is the same obstacle that Matt Andrew Garcia had to deal with as well during his duty.
Despite this, it was still beneficial for them because they were allowed to be exposed in a clinical laboratory setting, learn laboratory techniques and perform different laboratory procedures and tests. It also gave them the chance to see cellular elements, microorganisms this time in an actual microscopic view and not just in pictures from their notes. Quoting what Garcia said “Limited face to face is better than nothing at all” which is something they are very grateful for. Tzhen Eseller, their fellow MedTech student also stated that although limited, this lessened their worries and confusions because they can easily approach and ask questions to their clinical instructor.
Although it seemed easy, these interns have to undergo Swab tests before duty and endure a 12-day quarantine after their 4 days duty, an exhausting process that in normal circumstances they wouldn’t necessarily go through.
It was supposed to be a smooth cycle until a sudden plot twist happened, the Omicron virus appeared out of nowhere – the setback that disrupted the order in January 2022. Cases surged and Iloilo was in alert level 3 which hindered their already limited face-to-face duty.
21-year-old Matthew Alquinn Flores expressed his disappointment over this because it was supposed to be the group five’s turn, the group where he was assigned. With God’s grace, after it was postponed for almost 50 days before they were given a chance to resume their face-to-face internship at IMH and CPU alternately. It was an on and off adjustment for the medical laboratory students but no matter the challenges they continue to push through for their dreams, and knowing that they will graduate very soon, fuels them more to strive harder.