ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) visited the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to strengthen collaboration aimed at aligning medical and public health education with the evolving Primary Health Care (PHC) needs .
During the meeting, discussions focused on the establishment and improving of primary health care ceneters and units revising medical and public health curricula to better address the country’s health priorities and ensure future healthcare professionals are equipped with the skills and knowledge essential for delivering comprehensive, community-centered care.
The delegation emphasized the importance of producing a health workforce that can effectively respond to the growing challenges of non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, mental health, and emerging health emergencies.
The PMDC President welcomed the WHO delegates, and apprised that “Our shared goal is to create a responsive, equitable, and sustainable healthcare system by strengthening the foundation of medical education," said the President. "We value WHO’s technical expertise and continued support in this vital endeavor."
The delegation was comprised of Ravaghi Hamid (Reginal advisor), Mataria Awad (Director), Gedik Fetheya Gulin (coordinator), Dr Mohsin Raza, (consultant health Financing), Syed Shamsuzzoha Babar (Unit head), Dr Naveed Asghar (National professional officer health system), Ms. Tahira Ali (Community Engagement Officer) and Dr Samia Latif (consultant communicable disease control).
PMDC President Prof Dr Rizwan Taj, responding to several questions from the WHO delegation, highlighted the initiatives taken by PMDC regarding the establishment and strengthening of Primary Health Care (PHC) centers and units.
He informed the delegation that PMDC has directed all affiliated medical and dental colleges to establish outreach centers either at their teaching hospitals or by utilizing existing Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centers (RHCs) within their respective regions.
Dr Taj pointed out that people living in remote and suburban areas of Pakistan often have to travel to major cities for even basic healthcare services, leading to financial and emotional hardship. Establishing accessible PHC centers in all provinces, particularly in underserved regions, is therefore crucial to ease the burden on these communities.
He further stated that PMDC has initiated steps to integrate Primary Health Care into the medical education undergraduate curriculum to help students understand its fundamental importance early in their training.
He emphasized that over the past year, PMDC has placed strong focus on these issues, ensuring that its stringent criteria are applied across the 185 medical and dental colleges in the country.
