Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Higher Graduate Diploma Program in Family Medicine is fundamentally aligned with the principles of sustainable development by training physicians to provide holistic, continuous, and patient-centered primary care. The program's core philosophy directly addresses the most critical health challenges, making its primary contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). By preparing doctors to manage common health problems, non-communicable diseases, and the needs of an aging population at the community level, it strengthens the foundation of the national healthcare system.
Beyond health, the curriculum provides high-level training and promotes lifelong learning, which is a cornerstone of SDG 4 (Quality Education). Its emphasis on community-based projects and occupational health also creates tangible links to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). By instilling principles of equitable care for all life stages within the family and community context, the program actively works to reduce health disparities, aligning with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Finally, the focus on professional ethics and collaboration with health networks reinforces SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This program is dedicated to strengthening primary healthcare, which is the bedrock of a healthy society. It trains physicians to provide comprehensive, continuous, and accessible care for individuals, families, and communities. The curriculum covers a wide spectrum of health issues, including health promotion, disease prevention, management of common and chronic diseases, mental health, and palliative care, directly contributing to improved health outcomes for all ages.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 717 101 | Family Medicine 1 | Provides foundational knowledge for delivering primary care across all life stages, from children to the elderly, directly contributing to the graduation of skilled health professionals (Metric 3.2). |
| MD 717 102 | Family Medicine 2 | Focuses on managing common health problems and providing home health and palliative care, directly aligning with health outreach and services for the community (Metric 3.3). |
| MD 717 201 | Advanced Family Medicine 1 | Includes the management of mental health problems and occupational medicine, addressing both mental well-being (Target 3.4) and environmental health risks (Target 3.9). |
| MD 717 202 | Advanced Family Medicine 2 | Directly supports health promotion and disease prevention through community-based health projects, contributing to health outreach in the local community (Metric 3.3.2). |
| MD 718 102 | Behavioral Science in Family Medicine | Enhances mental health support for patients by teaching counseling and communication skills, which are crucial for holistic patient care (Metric 3.3.5). |
| MD 937 101 | Medical Professionalism | Contributes to well-being by emphasizing patient-centered communication and principles of palliative care, improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a postgraduate diploma, this program provides high-quality, specialized education for medical professionals. It promotes lifelong learning by equipping graduates with skills in research, evidence-based practice, and continuous professional development, ensuring they have relevant technical and vocational skills for high-level employment in the healthcare sector.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 507 102 | Research Methodology in Medicine | Directly supports Target 4.4 by providing students with advanced technical and research skills that are highly relevant for employment and entrepreneurship in the medical sector. |
| 411 725 | Technical English for Medical Residents | Enhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by giving graduates the communication skills needed to engage with the global medical community and access international knowledge. |
| All Core Family Medicine Courses | Various | The entire program provides an advanced, specialized education that increases the number of adults with relevant technical and professional skills for a specialized field of medicine (Target 4.4). |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthAlignment Summary: The program contributes to decent work by addressing occupational health. By training physicians in the prevention and management of work-related health issues, it helps to ensure safe and secure working environments, which is a key component of decent work for all.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 717 201 | Advanced Family Medicine 1 | Directly aligns with Target 8.8 by providing education in occupational medicine, which aims to protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers. |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: The core philosophy of family medicine is to provide equitable and accessible healthcare to all individuals, regardless of age, gender, or background. By focusing on the family and community context, the program trains physicians to address the diverse health needs of all populations, thereby helping to reduce health inequalities.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 717 101 | Family Medicine 1 | Supports Target 10.2 by empowering and promoting the social and economic inclusion of all, irrespective of age, through comprehensive healthcare for every life stage. |
| MD 937 101 | Medical Professionalism | Directly aligns by teaching principles of equity in decision-making for patient care, which supports the UN Target 10.3 of ensuring equal opportunity and reducing inequalities of outcome. |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: This program contributes to creating sustainable communities by focusing on community-level health. Through required community health projects and outreach, graduates are equipped to understand and address local health problems, thereby strengthening the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 717 202 | Advanced Family Medicine 2 | Directly aligns with the 'Sustainable practices' metric by requiring students to engage in community health projects, which support and promote the well-being of local communities (Metric 11.4). |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: The program helps build strong and accountable healthcare institutions by instilling a deep understanding of medical ethics, professionalism, and the legal aspects of public service. Graduates are equipped to uphold high standards of integrity, contributing to a more just and effective healthcare system.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 507 101 | General Knowledge of Civil Service | Aligns with Target 16.6 by developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions through education on public administration principles relevant to medical practice. |
| MD 937 101 | Medical Professionalism | Contributes to strong institutions by fostering a culture of ethics, accountability, and patient safety, which are core components of good governance in healthcare. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships for sustainable development through both local and global collaboration. The curriculum requires engagement with community health networks and provides skills for participating in the international scientific community, promoting the multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for achieving the SDGs.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| 411 725 | Technical English for Medical Residents | Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by improving the capacity for international communication and knowledge sharing. |
| MD 717 101 | Family Medicine 1 | Promotes multi-stakeholder partnerships (Target 17.17) by teaching students to collaborate with local health networks and community organizations to deliver effective care. |