Community Medicine

The first ever department of Social and Preventive Medicine ( now  Community Medicine) in the developing world was founded by Dr. Carl E Taylor in 1952. With the focus on providing health benefits according to measurable need rather than on the basis of political or economic status, concentrating on those with the greatest problems.

The Narangwal Rural Health Research Project from 1960 to 1975, provided breakthrough understandings in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood pneumonia, neonatal tetanus, getting medical care to the villages, synergism of malnutrition and child mortality, understanding childhood diarrheal treatment and community empowerment for just and lasting health solutions. The department’s first flagship project was the Ludhiana- Harvard- Khanna study on Family Planning.

We are pioneers in the community orientation of the MBBS students.  The faculty tries to expand the values, attitude and ethical orientation of the students to have a commitment to service of those in greatest need.

Beyond community work, we are also involved in research and education. The Department is also the recipient of various research grants and sponsored clinical trials.  The Rural Stroke Registry since 2015 covering 146 villages in 2 blocks has provided new insights on the burden of stroke and NCDs in rural Punjab. The Department has 4 postgraduate residents a year since 2012.  The Department is the nodal center for IGNOU course for Post Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine and also provides faculty for the Post Graduate Diploma in Maternal and Child Health.

The Department stands committed to making competent and socially relevant doctors who understand Primary Health Care.