RAWALPINDI: A national consensus guideline meeting that reviewed the ‘Challenges of Undergraduate Medical Education 2015 and Beyond’ took place on Friday at the new teaching block of Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC) at Holy Family Hospital (HFH).

Delegates called for a curriculum re-design that includes recently discovered diseases and research in order to improve and modernise healthcare facilities.

The event was arranged in coordination with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), University of Health Sciences (UHS) and Rawalpindi Medical College (RMC).

More than a hundred delegates, including principals from medical colleges from all over Pakistan, and faculty members and experts, participated in various sessions.

Speaking at the inaugural session, HEC chairperson Prof Mukhtar Ahmed said that it is necessary to update the curriculum and healthcare professionals’ skill sets in order to keep up with international practices.

He said the aim of the meeting was to find ways to improve the medical curriculum to meet modern requirements. He said the HEC would facilitate stakeholders in their efforts.

PMDC president retired Gen Azhar Kiyani said the healthcare system in Pakistan was facing immense challenges, but that awareness among doctors at all levels is increasing regarding the problems facing quality medical education and care.

He said with the discovery of new diseases, it was necessary for the curriculum to be redesigned in order to educate students on recent discoveries and techniques.

UHS vice chancellor (VC) retired Gen Mohammad Aslam underlined the need to develop new teaching techniques.

Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University Islamabad vice chancellor Prof Mohammad Iqbal Khan said that the outlook of medical education has changed over the last twenty years, and great innovations have been made in curriculum development, assessment, quality assurance, accreditation, and research.

RMC principal Dr Mohammad Umar called curriculum development one of the most important issues for medical students.

Umar said that experts, during conference sessions, would focus on the undergraduate medical education curriculum, research, and academic accreditation. The delegates also planted saplings in the lawn of the new teaching block.

Published in Dawn September 12th, 2015

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