Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Higher Graduate Diploma Program in Pediatrics is fundamentally dedicated to advancing sustainable development by training specialist physicians who are crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of the next generation. The program's most profound contribution is to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), with a curriculum designed to address the full spectrum of child health, from neonatal care to adolescent medicine. This focus directly targets key global health indicators, such as reducing neonatal and child mortality, promoting nutrition, and managing both communicable and non-communicable diseases in children, aligning with Thailand's 20-Year National Strategy to become a medical hub.
As an advanced medical program, it is a cornerstone of SDG 4 (Quality Education), providing high-level skills and fostering a culture of lifelong learning. The curriculum's holistic approach also touches upon critical social determinants of health, with content on nutrition supporting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and a focus on social pediatrics and child protection contributing to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Furthermore, by training physicians to engage in community health, the program strengthens SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and fosters the collaborative partnerships essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
SDG 2: Zero HungerAlignment Summary: This program directly addresses the challenge of ending malnutrition in all its forms by focusing on the nutritional needs of children, from newborns to adolescents. Proper nutrition in early life is critical for development and long-term health, and this curriculum equips physicians with the expertise to manage and promote child nutrition, a key component of achieving food security.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 747 101 | Pediatrics 1 | Directly aligns with Target 2.2 by focusing on child nutrition as a core component of growth and development, aiming to end all forms of malnutrition. |
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: The entire program is fundamentally dedicated to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for children. It trains pediatric specialists to provide comprehensive healthcare, from preventive services and health promotion to the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases. The curriculum's focus on neonatal care, critical care, and management of common and chronic childhood illnesses directly contributes to reducing neonatal and child mortality and strengthening the healthcare workforce.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 747 101 | Pediatrics 1 | Provides foundational knowledge in child health, growth, and development, which is essential for diagnosing and treating common pediatric problems to ensure a healthy start in life. |
| MD 747 102 | Pediatrics 2 | Focuses on palliative and home health care for children, contributing to health outreach and services that improve quality of life for children with serious illnesses (Metric 3.3). |
| MD 747 201 | Advanced Pediatrics 1 | Covers specialized areas like pediatric cardiology and oncology, directly contributing to the fight against non-communicable diseases in children (Target 3.4). |
| MD 747 202 | Advanced Pediatrics 2 | Directly addresses Target 3.2 by providing advanced training in neonatal care and the management of pediatric emergencies, which is critical for ending preventable deaths of newborns and children. |
| MD 937 101 | Medical Professionalism | Contributes to well-being by emphasizing patient safety, ethical decision-making, and principles of palliative care, ensuring high-quality and compassionate patient treatment. |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a higher graduate diploma program, this curriculum epitomizes quality education by providing specialized, advanced training 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 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 equipping students with advanced technical and research skills essential for high-level employment and innovation in medicine. |
| 411 725 | Technical English for Medical Residents | Enhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by providing graduates with the communication skills needed to access global research and stay current with international advancements. |
| All Core Pediatrics 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 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: This program addresses inequalities by focusing on the health and rights of children, who are often a vulnerable population. The curriculum includes social pediatrics and child protection, training physicians to recognize and address the social determinants of health and protect children from harm, thereby promoting social inclusion and equal opportunity from an early age.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 747 102 | Pediatrics 2 | Supports Target 10.2 by focusing on social pediatrics and child protection, empowering and promoting the social inclusion of children, irrespective of their background. |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: The program contributes to creating sustainable and resilient communities by training physicians to engage in community-level health initiatives. By understanding and addressing local health problems through community outreach, graduates can play a vital role in improving the overall health and well-being of the communities they serve.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 747 202 | Advanced Pediatrics 2 | Directly aligns with the 'Sustainable practices' metric by requiring community-based research and health projects, which support and promote the well-being of local communities (Metric 11.4). |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: This program helps build strong and just institutions by focusing on child protection and professional ethics. By training physicians to identify and respond to issues of child welfare, the curriculum directly contributes to ending abuse and violence against children. The emphasis on professionalism and ethics ensures graduates contribute to an accountable and transparent healthcare system.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 747 102 | Pediatrics 2 | Directly addresses Target 16.2 by including child protection in its curriculum, training future physicians to help end abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence against children. |
| MD 937 101 | Medical Professionalism | Contributes to strong institutions by fostering a culture of ethics and accountability, which are core components of good governance in healthcare. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships by requiring collaboration with multidisciplinary health teams and community networks. It also provides skills for engaging with the global scientific community, promoting the multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for sharing knowledge and achieving sustainable development in global health.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 747 102 | Pediatrics 2 | Promotes multi-stakeholder partnerships (Target 17.17) by requiring collaboration with community health networks and social services to deliver comprehensive child care. |
| 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. |