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Pakistan Mandates Family Medicine in Medical Colleges
19 Jun
Summary
- Medical colleges must now establish family medicine departments.
- 75 teaching hours of family medicine integrated into curriculum.
- PMDC aims to strengthen primary healthcare and UHC goals.
The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has implemented a pivotal change, mandating the establishment of family medicine departments within all medical colleges across Pakistan. This strategic decision includes integrating a minimum of 75 teaching hours of family medicine into the undergraduate medical curriculum, effective immediately.
This initiative is a core component of PMDC's broader strategy to enhance Primary Healthcare (PHC) and accelerate the country's journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The council's recent meeting, chaired by President Prof. Dr Rizwan Taj, underscored the growing importance of family medicine in addressing critical health challenges.
Key reforms also include requiring medical institutions to have three outreach centers and introducing an optional three-year house job rotation. These measures are designed to equip future healthcare professionals with the skills needed for comprehensive, patient-centered community care, ensuring greater accessibility and resilience in Pakistan's healthcare system.
