The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has made it mandatory for all medical colleges across Pakistan to establish dedicated departments of Family Medicine. This important decision aims to strengthen primary healthcare training for future doctors.
PMDC President Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj announced the move after a high-level meeting on Thursday. The step will improve general practice skills, early diagnosis of diseases, and community-based care. It will also help reduce the heavy load on big hospitals by promoting preventive healthcare at the local level.
Under the new rules, medical colleges must set up Family Medicine departments with qualified faculty as per accreditation standards. The undergraduate MBBS curriculum will now include 75 teaching hours on Family Medicine. Colleges are also required to have at least three outreach centres linked to teaching hospitals or basic health units for practical training.
This reform aligns Pakistan’s medical education with global standards. It focuses on patient-centered care for common health issues like non-communicable diseases, mental health, maternal and child care, and the needs of ageing population. A three-year optional house job rotation in primary care has also been introduced.
Experts and WHO representatives have welcomed the initiative. It is expected to produce better-trained doctors and build a stronger, more accessible healthcare system for all Pakistanis.
