Head of Department

PROF. LUBNA A. BAIG
MBBS, FCPS, MPH (USA) MMEd (Dundee, UK)

*MPH-1989 (USA)
*FCPS-1998
*Master Medical education (England)
*Faculty member of CPSP in community medicine, medical education and research group resource person.
*Supervisor and examiner of FCPS examiner Karachi University.
*National consultant for medical education for WHO, COME project.
*Consultant educationist king saud university, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
*Member board of studies Karachi University.
*Executive editor annals of ASH and KMDC.
*Editorial board member of JPMA and Spectrum.
*Reviewer of journal of Ayub Medical College and journal of College of Physician and Surgeon of Pakistan (JCPSP).

Introduction to the department.

The aim of the department of Community Health Sciences (CHS) is to excel in training medical graduates regarding management of health and health-related problems in the communities and contribute towards improvement in the standard of health professionals in the country. As a graduate of tomorrow should not only be equipped with the knowledge of treating patients inside the hospital but also be a socially responsible health professional. It is therefore essential to expose them as early as possible to the concepts and principles of community-oriented medical education (COME) and avail them of opportunity at large in addition to training in health care facilities.

The department of community health sciences undertakes training of KMDC students from first year in onward in technologies, which will help them to become five star doctors capable of dealing with the priority health problems of communities in Pakistan. The community health sciences training spans over 1st to 4th year of MBBS. The topics of public health importance with relevance to Pakistan are dealt with in greater details and key international issues are also discussed. In addition the students also develop research capabilities, which are necessary to approach and analyze the health problems and suggest appropriate intervention. This is the only department in public sector in sindh recognized by college oh physician and surgeons of Pakistan for FCPS in Community Medicine.

Curriculum:

The curriculum in community health sciences (CHS) spreads over four years of medical education; divided thematically over four years with community-based learning activities forming major part of the training. The curriculum includes epidemiology, biostatistics, research methodology, community development (diagnosis , intervention, monitoring and evaluation), primary health care, family medicine, child health, maternal health, communication skills, environmental and occupational health. The objectives of the four-year training program are given below:

Objectives:
By the time the students graduates they in all its four years of training are able to:

*Identify, manage and suggest preventive measure for diseases of public heath importance.
*Identify, manage and discuss prevention of occupation and environment related diseases and injuries.
*Diagnose and manage problems related to heath system specially of Pakistan (primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care.
*Use computer effectively for search/research.
*Effectively counsel patients, families and communities.
*Gain community experience through actual involvement with the community.
*Conceptualize, write and execute health research projects on scientific lines and later present their finding to their peers, tutors and other relevant experts available in the country.

Teaching Learning Methodology:

The curriculum is conducted with students working together in small groups to facilitate implementation and development of teamwork. The instructional methods include:

Lectures and Tutorials:
Filed Assignment / Community based learning / research project in groups of three to four each.
Group discussion and student seminars for sharing and presentation of data Self-directed study and computer training labs.

Resources Available
Faculty and Staff
The department is headed by Professor Lubna A. Baig and has three Assistant Professors, two Demonstrators, two Social Welfare Officers, one Statistician and seven non teaching faculty members. In addition to the full time faculty members the department has also acquired the services of learned professors and key public heath professionals for training the students.

As the department is recognized for FCPS training in Community Medicine the FCPS trainees are also involved in service delivery, research and teaching in the department.

Learning Resource Centre of the Department:

The department is responsible for running resource centre with models, equipment (water quality tester, smoke detector, microscopes etc.) videos and learning material of public health importance.

Primary Health Care Centre

*The department is responsible for running the primary health care centre of the college located in the premises of the college. Which caters to the heath care needs of the students and staff of KMDC. The medical examination of students for admission is also conducted at this PHC centre. The centre is headed by the PHC director and a medical officer is responsible for its day to day operation.

Field Sites:
*PHC centre established in front of the new campus in Arafat Town where the clinic space is donated by the community and the department provides primary health care services. The site is also utilized for training the medical students in PHC services. The community participation is very high as for all major decision the opinion of the health committee is upheld.

Library
*The college library at the old campus is being utilized for literature searching
*The departmental library has some required reference material and presently 10 peer review journals and subscribed for use by the faculty and the students.

Computers
*Presently there are four computers in the department for use by faculty and students for data analysis and report writing.