Islamabad : August 9,2024: As per vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan the Medical and Dental Council (PM&DC) has announced a groundbreaking initiative to align Pakistan’s medical and public health education with the country’s primary healthcare needs. The directions were made to urgently address the need of Primary care for the poor.
Therefore, PM&DC has recently directed all Pakistani Medical & Dental Colleges to Establish Public Health Centers. In a directive to all medical colleges across the country stated that they have to establish fully operational public health centers. The initiative aims to enhance the quality of public health services and provide accessible healthcare to underserved communities.
In alignment with the national health policy and the commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure, the PMDC has emphasized that these public health centers will serve as vital hubs for community health services, preventive care, and public health research. These centers will not only support the local populations but also offer medical students hands-on experience in public health practice, thereby enriching their education and professional development.
The PMDC envisions these centers as key contributors to public health education, disease prevention, and community engagement. Each center will be equipped with necessary medical facilities and staffed by qualified healthcare professionals, ensuring comprehensive healthcare services are available to the public.
Medical colleges are expected to comply with this directive within the stipulated time frame. The PMDC will closely monitor the progress and operational status of these centers to ensure they meet the required standards of service and care. The PMDC has incorporated public health initiatives into the training of future healthcare providers to promote a healthier nation.
A meeting of President PM&DC Prof.Dr Rizwan Taj with Dr. Luo Dapeng, a Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Pakistan National Institute of Health premises was also held to align medical /public health education and training in Pakistan with the PHC needs in the country.
Prof.Dr.Rizwan Taj President PM&DC in a press release stated that to achieve these objectives, the PM&DC Council decided that all medical and dental colleges are required to establish outreach centers at their affiliated teaching hospitals or collaborate with existing Basic Health Units (BHU) and Rural Health Centers (RHC) within their respective regions to enhance practical training community health improvement, research and data collection and public awareness and education.
He added that The PMDC firmly believes that his initiative will yield significant benefits for both education institutions and the communities they serve. So all medical and dental colleges are required to consider and pursue this opportunity to advance community health and enhance the practical training of future healthcare professionals.
To carry out the said initiative an expert committee on family medicine and primary health care has been constituted.