Islamabad, June 18, 2026 — The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council convened senior regulators and international partners today to review the strategic role of Family Medicine in strengthening primary healthcare and accelerating Pakistan’s progress toward Universal Health Coverage. The meeting was chaired by Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj and attended by Registrar Dr. Rehan Naqvi along with WHO representatives Dr. Saira Tariq and Dr. Naveed Asghar.
Participants highlighted how Family Medicine can respond to Pakistan’s shifting health needs, including the rise of non-communicable diseases, growing mental health concerns, maternal and child health priorities, and the healthcare demands of an ageing population. Delegates emphasized that a stronger primary care platform led by well-trained family physicians is essential for continuous, comprehensive, and patient-centered services at the community level.
The committee reviewed a package of reforms introduced since the Council’s reconstitution under Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj. Key measures include mandatory Departments of Family Medicine in medical colleges with defined faculty requirements integrated into accreditation standards, the addition of 75 teaching hours of Family Medicine to the undergraduate medical curriculum, a requirement for three outreach centres for each institution, and a new three-year optional House Job rotation pathway designed to deepen primary care training and community-based clinical experience.
The President reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to strengthening Family Medicine as a core discipline within medical education and health service delivery. WHO representatives welcomed the reforms, noting that institutionalising Family Medicine is a cornerstone of effective, equitable, and people-centered health systems, and they commended the Council’s leadership on these initiatives.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment among PMDC, WHO, and key stakeholders to continue advancing Family Medicine and fortifying primary healthcare services across Pakistan, with the aim of improving access, equity, and resilience in the national health system.
