Over 1,000 individuals, organizations, doctors, and personalities have aired support to the call of medical and health-allied students to postpone the September 2021 Physician Licensure Exam amid the rising cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On Tuesday, Aug. 24, the Philippine Medical Students' Association (PMSA) led a Twitter rally, seeking signatories to support the call.

In a Twitter post, Martin Magadia, a general physician who took the PLE in 2020 said the problem is not the "supply" of healthcare workers, but the lack of action from the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"Huwag na natin ulitin ang nangyari sa amin. Hindi birong kumuha ng pagsusulit na para bang may baril na nakatutok sa ulo mo ang COVID-19. Paano pa ngayong mas mabagsik na Delta variant na ang nasa Pilipinas? (Let's not do again what they've done to us. It's not easy taking a test as if the COVID-19 had a gun pointed at your head. Especially now with the more contagious Delta variant in the Philippines?" Magadia wrote.

"Please postpone the PLE. Kung yung bakuna nga nade-delay, yung hazard pay nade-delay, siguro naman kaya nyo rin i-delay ang PLE diba? (If vaccines can be delayed, if hazard pay can be delayed, then I think PLE can also be delayed right?) Asking nicely for our young colleagues," Carlo Trinindad, also a physician, wrote.

In a statement, PMSA stressed that the health and safety of the PLE takers must be prioritized.

"Pushing the 4-day face-to-face PLE as COVID-19 cases are soaring and our health system is stretched thin runs contrary to the 'first, do no harm' principle every doctor swears by in their oath. Joining the health system to serve as new doctors should not be at the expense of their lives," PMSA National Vice Chairperson Joyce Brillantes said.

Grave risks are extended to exam proctors, administrators, facility personnel, families, and relatives, and the public at large, Brillantes added.

"Many PLE takers have raised alarm on the risk of infecting their families when they return home as they cannot afford lodging facilities near examination sites and that these are not provided for. They fear not only for themselves but also for the safety of their family," she continued.

Other concerns were also raised on the possible financial and logistical burdens that test-takers will shoulder, such as RT-PCR testing and travel costs if the PLE be postponed close to the exam date.

In addition, the statement calls for the release of specific exam guidelines for all community quarantine levels; provision of support to examinees for all local government units such as quarantine facilities, quarantine resources, and RT-PCR testing; and financial, medical, and accommodation support in the health management in case any PLE takers and other concerned people catch COVID-19.

"The health sector has unceasingly demanded to improve, if not overhaul the pandemic response. We will not be in this deplorable situation if a comprehensive and scientific response were implemented. We demand the strengthening of the capacity of our healthcare system and accountability for the government's criminal negligence in facing this health crisis," Brillantes ended.