Dubai, August 14: There’s no need to panic or live in fear regarding swine flu, officials advised students as institutions are set to re-open after the long summer holidays.
Institutions will be educating students and parents about the preventive measures and ensure that students are safe on campus.
Some institutions have created elaborate programmes including screening and a quarantine system to ensure student safety.
Most institutions believe such extreme measures are not required since the country has taken measures to prevent an outbreak.
Representatives of the American University of Dubai (AUD) deems the screening of students unnecessary, since people crossing Dubai airport will have gone through the temperature screening.
“During the fall 2009 parents orientation, the university will present health and safety plans. The UAE health authorities say that there is no cause for panic,” said Nelly Halabi, director of AUD’s health centre.
Halabi has set a meeting with American Hospital’s infection diseases specialists for further preventive measures at the campus.
“There is this general fear that we might be affected once we start interacting with the others,” said Stacey Pinto, student at a university in Dubai International Academic City.
Another student, Dheeraj Vaid said he was thinking of skipping the first week of university, “Just to be on the safe side.”
Dr Balasubramani Ramjee, director of Manipal University in Dubai said, “This is a misplaced concern. We cannot confine ourselves and we are confident that the government has everything under control. I would tell parents to protect themselves and their children. I also guarantee that all measures will be taken to protect the students,” he said.
A doctor from Khalifa Hospital will hold education sessions for the incoming batches at Murdoch University in Dubai. The university has sent newsletters to the students and has stocked surgical masks and disinfectants on the premises.
“Parents and students must be reassured that proper plans are in place. Perhaps being at the university is much safer than being anywhere else with high standards of hygine being maintained at this time,” said Maisa Mannila, head of marketing and PR official of the university.
Schools and education zones in the UAE are waiting for directives from the Ministry of Education on their future course of action to prevent the flu, but many schools are preparing their own programmes when the students return by the end of the month.
In many countries schools have been shut down to prevent an outbreak including Mumbai which has directed all educational institutions to remain closed for a week.
Vandana Marwaha, principal of Delhi Private School-Sharjah said, “There is no point in creating a panic. If at all a child is ill, the school can send them back or parents must be vigilant at all time. Even additional screening is not required,” she said.
GEMS, the largest education provider in the country said it has not been formally advised by the authorities yet but has plans prepared for all their schools.
“We are taking the issue seriously and our schools, and our doctors and nurses, will be fully prepared with the right information when our schools reopen,” said Richard Forbes, director of marketing and communications.
Some institutions still consider it essential to screen the students, especially the ones that have recently travelled.
“All students will be screened everyday when they come to the university at our clinic,” said Dr Mohammad Abdul Monem, head of the medical service department at the University of Sharjah.
“Students will be screened for vital signs and temperature. We have a 24-hour ambulance and medical team that will transfer any suspected case to the hospital. If any case tests positive we will cancel classes at the university for a while,” he said.
BITS Pilani-Dubai will conduct an initial screening of students at their clinic when they return to campus rom August 25. “If any student is found with any symptoms of the flu, he/she will be referred to the hospital immediately and such student must refrain from coming to the institution till symptoms subside,” said Nahid Afshan, admissions manager.
–Agencies