ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to formally approach the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) to incorporate lifestyle medicine into undergraduate and postgraduate medical education as part of efforts to strengthen prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The decision was taken at the second meeting of the National Taskforce on Lifestyle Medicine (NTLM), chaired by Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal, which reviewed progress made since its inaugural session and discussed measures to integrate lifestyle medicine into Pakistan’s healthcare system.
According to an official statement issued by the Ministry of National Health Services, the taskforce decided that PMDC would be formally advised to incorporate lifestyle medicine into undergraduate medical curricula. To support the initiative, a curriculum development subcommittee was constituted to prepare the required academic modules.
The meeting also decided that the College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan would be requested to integrate lifestyle medicine into postgraduate medical education and residency training programmes.
The federal health minister also approved the establishment of a Healthy Food Kiosk at the Ministry of National Health Services under a public-private partnership model in collaboration with Riphah Institute of Lifestyle Medicine. According to the ministry, the initiative is intended to promote healthy eating practices within the ministry and serve as a model for other public sector institutions.
Addressing the meeting, Mustafa Kamal said Pakistan’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases required a decisive shift from treatment-oriented healthcare to prevention through healthier lifestyles. He said evidence-based lifestyle interventions should be integrated into national health policies, medical education, workplace wellness programmes and community engagement.
The ministry said the National Taskforce on Lifestyle Medicine would continue to provide strategic guidance for mainstreaming lifestyle medicine in the country’s healthcare system, while the government would work with academic institutions, professional bodies, development partners, civil society organisations and the private sector to promote sustainable lifestyle-based interventions.
The meeting was attended by former Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health Prof Dr Zafar Mirza who co-chaired the meeting, Director General Health Dr Wali Khan, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Tanwir Khaliq, Riphah Institute of Lifestyle Medicine Director Dr Shagufta Feroz, Riphah International University Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Yawar Hayat Khan, Planning Ministry Member (Development Communication) Amina Aly, Pakistan Association of Lifestyle Medicine General Secretary Dr Sadia Fazal, Dr Zia Abbas, Deputy Chief (Health) Dr Muhammad Qaiser Khan, Higher Education Commission Member (R&D), Mohsin Nisar of the National Institute of Health and other senior officials.
