UHS, PHC launch family medicine certificate course for GPs

The University of Health Sciences (UHS), in collaboration with the Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC), has launched Punjab’s first certificate course in family medicine for general practitioners (GPs), 24NewsHD TV reported on Monday. 

The inaugural ceremony was held at UHS, with PHC Chief Executive Officer Dr Muhammad Saqib Aziz as the chief guest.

UHS Vice Chancellor Prof Nadia Naseem, PHC Director Dr Mushtaq Sulheria, UHS Head of Family Medicine Dr Uzma Jabeen, Director Postgraduate Studies Prof Muhammad Asif Naveed and medical experts from various specialties also attended the event.

Dr Uzma Jabeen briefed participants on the programme's objectives, curriculum, and training methods.

The six-month certificate course has been designed to improve the clinical skills and professional competencies of GPs working at the primary healthcare level. The first batch includes 55 doctors from across Punjab.

Under the programme, participating doctors will receive practical training in the diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, patient management, and other key areas of primary healthcare.

Specialists from different medical fields will conduct multidisciplinary training sessions relevant to family medicine and primary care.

The course includes 48 lectures over 24 teaching days, along with practical training workshops every month.

Special focus has been placed on emergency care and life-saving skills so that GPs can respond quickly and effectively to medical emergencies at primary healthcare facilities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof Nadia Naseem said providing safe and quality healthcare at the primary level was one of UHS’s key priorities.

She said modern and practical training for GPs would help improve the quality of healthcare services available to patients through the primary healthcare system.

Dr Muhammad Saqib Aziz said the UHS-PHC collaboration was an important step towards strengthening primary healthcare in Punjab.

He said properly trained GPs could improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients at the primary level while ensuring the timely referral of patients requiring specialised care.