MHSA feels it important to voice a commentary on the introduction of Bart’s Medical School in support of the MMSA-KSU taskforce. In compliance with MMSA’s statement issued in September, MHSA shall refrain from going into matters of finance and politics and purely focus on the educational aspect; with the faculty’s students always at the forefront of their motives.
The first topic of discussion is that of The Health Sciences Library. The library is an educational resource shared between both health science students and medical alike. With over 1200 FHS students and 724 medical*, the library capacity already does not cater for such a large body of students with a mere 64 chairs available. *this excluding main campus university students who also utilize this resource during exam period. With an influx of new students becoming familiar with the hospital, it is certainly not irrational, and indeed, warrants concern, for an already over-saturated library becoming even more unavailable. MHSA thinks it fundamental to safeguard the only silent area delegated to our faculty’s students.
A large part of health care is undoubtedly; hands on, practical learning. Within health sciences’ courses, most are exposed to patients from the first year and onwards through the means of clinical placements. This is an opportunity students are most grateful for. With an influx of new students, who will also be attending to the same patients, many current students have raised concerns. Upon the numerous concerns MHSA has been approached with, a case scenario is presented. In routine C Sections; one will find the working interdisciplinary team accompanied by student midwives, student nurses, and of course; medical students. With already more than enough students present, a question is posed; will more students attending such treatments be of hindrance to both the working team and the students aiming to gain as much from the experience as possible? Mornings are, even now, described as chaotic with so many people present. It is therefore a concern that simply cannot be neglected.
There is also the unignorable fact that patients, are indeed, human. As obvious as a statement, one cannot disregard the potential patient’s discomfort by being constantly examined and probed by different students. It is rudimentary that patients are not treated as merely another resource, but indeed, people in need of optimal health care. A concern is therefore raised; by adding even more people, it can affect health care from both the patient’s emotional side yet also, less individual attention given to students. It is them that are increasing at a rapid rate and not the consultants/ mentors.
To conclude, MHSA offers MMSA full support and backing on their quest for answers and solutions regarding the issue at hand. The interdisciplinary team within health care is crucial and must continue to move from strength to strength avoiding as much disruption as possible. MHSA applauds MMSA for their efforts to solve and work with the ministry of health on the matters discussed above and hopes that their and our requests will be heard and met to the best of abilities.