The proposal for opening the department has already been sent to the Centre. As of now, none of the medical colleges of the country have an MD course in Family Medicine, though DNB and Diploma in the specialty exist.

Family Medicine is a specialty designed for family physicians to impart comprehensive healthcare for all age groups.

Dr Saroj Chooramani Gopal, Vice-Chancellor, CSMMU, said: “The Centre wanted to start the course of MD in Family Medicine in the country and had asked for its proposal from various medical colleges. We also want to be a part of this project and have hence sent our proposal for the same.”

Though general physicians are doctors with MBBS degree, in MBBS, it is not possible for students to have enough practical experience, said Gopal.

The course is designed keeping in mind how much a general physician should know, given the present health complexities in various age group today, she said. With this, the family or general physicians are better prepared to handle a case initially.

The MD (Family Medicine) is a three year residency programme approved by the Medical Council of India.

“We received a letter dated November 1 from the Centre asking for proposals to start the course of MD in Family Medicine and we sent our proposal to the Centre on November 30,” said VP Singh, Registrar, CSMMU.

The university is now awaiting the Centre’s approval to start the course. “As per the government’s recommendations, we have proposed a 30-bed facility for Department of Family Medicine, with five post-graduate seats. For starting the course, we need a minimum of four teachers, the creation of posts is also included in the proposal,” said Gopal.

The Centre will be supporting the department financially in its establishment and during the early days. If approved, this will be the first course of MD Family Medicine to be started in the country.

“Since the Centre is supporting this course, it is possible that a number of other colleges have also sent in the proposal for the course and are simultaneously approved by the government,” said Singh. “Such courses are very common in western countries, especially European countries. But in India, it is still not a very common specialty,” said Dr AA Mahdi, Proctor, CSMMU.