The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has set up the department of Family Medicine in a bid to support the development of general practice-cum-family medicine. Britain's Royal College of General Practitioners Chairman, Dr Garth Manning, opened the department.
Dr Manning said his college would collaborate with its Pakistani counterpart to develop a cohort of trainers and teachers in general practice and family medicine, trained in medical education and supported to develop the necessary skills to teach family medicine at all levels. Dr Manning visited the university's departments and laboratories.
The college has decided to choose the university as a venue for MRCGP (Int) examination in Pakistan. The MRCGP (Int) accreditation was developed by the RCGP in response to the wishes of overseas colleagues and the global need to develop high quality post-graduate assessments. It enables a country or region to develop an examination at the same level and academic rigor as the MRCGP in the UK, appropriately tailored to local needs, culture, health practices and education systems. The aim is to provide a clear framework for locally relevant assessments, with the availability of RCGP advice and support. When the necessary criteria is met the examination is accredited by the college and candidates receive the award of MRCGP (Int) in addition to their local qualification.
UHS acting Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Zafar Iqbal, Examinations Controller Dr Junaid Khan and representatives of the Pakistan Academy of Family Physicians and the Pakistan Society of Family Physicians were also present.
The delegation members were Professor Riaz Qureshi of Agha Khan University Karachi and Doctors Aftab Iqbal Sheikh President PAFP, Tariq Aziz, Mazhar-ul-Islam, Altaf Cheema, Tariq Mian and Nasir Shah.