Medical colleges ordered to set up outreach centres

Islamabad:The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council has launched a major initiative to integrate medical and public health education with the country’s primary healthcare needs, particularly to benefit underprivileged people.

"In line with the prime minister’s vision, we've ordered all medical and dental colleges to establish outreach centres at their affiliated teaching hospitals or partner with basic health units and rural health centres. This move is intended to enhance practical training, community health improvement, research, data collection, and public education," PMDC president Prof Dr Rizwan Taj told reporters here on Friday.

He insisted that the initiative would bring substantial benefits to both educational institutions and the communities they served. The PMDC president asked medical and dental colleges to avail themselves of the opportunity to advance community health and improve the practical training of future healthcare professionals.

He also said that an expert committee on family medicine and primary health care had been formed to oversee the implementation of the initiative. Prof Taj said that according to national health policy and a commitment to enhance healthcare infrastructure, those public health centres would function as crucial centres for community health services, preventive care, and public health research.

He said that those centres would benefit local communities and provide medical students with practical experience in public health and thus, enriching their education and professional growth.

"We [PMDC] see this move as imperative for advancing public health education, disease prevention, and community involvement. Each centre will be equipped with necessary medical facilities and staffed by qualified healthcare professionals to offer comprehensive services," he said.

The PMDC president also informed Dr Luo Dapeng of the World Health Organisation about the initiative during a meeting at the National Institute of Health and said it would align medical and public health training with the country’s primary healthcare needs.