Karachi, April 03, 2023 (PPI-OT):A training programme for Family Medicine specialists in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Chitral, run jointly by the Aga Khan University (AKU) and Aga Khan Heath Service, Pakistan (AKHS, P), has received accreditation by the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP). Providing quality care in rural and remote settings remains a significant challenge in Pakistan and globally. Family Medicine is a primary care medical specialty that offers ongoing and comprehensive healthcare services for individuals and families of all ages, managing a wide range of illnesses and conditions across the lifespan. As such, it is uniquely suited to meet the challenge of improving healthcare access for rural and remote communities. However, physicians are often not trained to work in low-resource settings, and the lack of career growth opportunities and low pay scales lead to high turnover rates, creating gaps in care for these communities.
With this accreditation from CPSP, doctors in GB and Chitral have a unique opportunity to access world-class training in Family Medicine at their doorstep. Doctors can now complete a two-year residency programme at designated health and medical centres of AKHS, P and at AKUH, and sit in the Member of College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (MCPS) exam. This will, hopefully, open the path to a rewarding career for doctors as well as pave the way for providing quality care to rural and remote populations. Commenting on what the accreditation means for the community, Dr Unab Khan, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine at AKU said: “Starting this two-year training was necessary to improve the health and well-being of our rural and remote communities. Now with the CPSP accreditation, we hope more doctors from these areas will want to join the GPP residency, and get trained to take care of their own communities”.
Family Medicine in the spotlight
The training and supervision for residents (trainees) of the Global Physician Programme (GPP) is provided through funded from Global Affairs Canada. GPP is a two-year structured residency programme in Family Medicine, that uses a pipeline model, training doctors from rural and remote areas in their own geographical settings. This is a tested and proven model that has led to a higher retention and better community health indicators in several countries. The GPP programme was initiated in GB and Chitral by AKU and AKHS, P in 2021 and so far seven doctors have been inducted to complete the training. GPP aims to produce well-rounded, competent physicians that willing and able to serve the diverse health needs of rural communities of GB and Chitral.
GPP residents are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to address the unique disease burden of these regions, including maternal and child health and mental health. In addition, the curriculum focuses on residents receiving comprehensive training in life-saving skills for all age groups. In remote areas where timely access to these life-saving skills can be the difference between life and death. Commenting on the importance of this accreditation, Sajid Hussain, Head of Clinical Units at AKHS, P said: “The GPP Programme is, contextually, an ideal fit for resource-constrained geographies like Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. The buy-in from the government and CPSP is an important first step to help address the problem of retaining qualified and well trained specialists in rural and remote communities.”
Early results
With their broad skill-set ranging from obstetrical and new-born care to non-communicable diseases to stabilization and referral of emergencies such as road traffic accidents, doctors participating in GPP have already started making a significant impact on the access and quality of healthcare available to these communities. An example of the GPP’s value was demonstrated during the recent floods in GB and Chitral, where GPP residents participated and at times played key roles in AKHS, P led response teams. Along with providing general medical care, they also helped to control the spread of communicable diseases and provided counselling on prevention and mental health. This highlights the unique value that trained family physicians can provide in a healthcare team, particularly in resource-scarce settings.
Onwards and upwards
GPP is a crucial initiative that holds tremendous potential to make a positive impact on the health of rural and remote communities in GB and Chitral. By training well-rounded family physicians in rural settings, the GPP aims to address the shortage of doctors and reduce the burden of preventable illnesses. As the first cohort of residents is set to graduate in August 2023, and the third cohort is expected in July 2023.
With the CPSP accreditation, the impact of the Programme on communities promises to be far-ranging: trained physicians will have an incentive for staying in remote areas where their abilities to practice the full spectrum of Family Medicine from preventive care to life-saving procedures will no doubt be a game-changer for addressing the health needs of these communities. Along with a reduction in morbidity and mortality rates, these training will also help to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals thereby reducing financial burden of disease for these communities.
For more information, contact:
Media Executive
Department of Public Affairs
Aga Khan University (AKU)
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