Department of Community Medicine

At the heart of comprehensive healthcare, lies a deep-rooted commitment to the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of individuals, families and the communities. This ethos forms the foundation of the Department of Community Medicine at Shifa College of Medicine. With a steadfast dedication to achieve the outcomes of medical education viz-a-viz community-oriented service, and community-based research, our department stands as a beacon of holistic healthcare and positive societal impact.

In the ambit of Community Health Sciences, we recognize that true healing extends beyond clinical expertise. Medical education approach transcends traditional classroom boundaries, as we strive to produce physicians who are not only clinically adept but also possess profound understanding of the psychosocial determinants of health. Through innovative teaching methods, experiential learning, and a curriculum deeply intertwined with real-world challenges, we aim to produce graduates who are compassionate and competent healers, who view medicine as a means to uplift the lives of individuals and communities.

Our commitment to community-oriented service underscores the belief that healthcare extends its impact beyond hospital walls. We equip our students with the skills to engage with communities directly, identifying their unique health needs and collaborating to implement sustainable interventions. Through health camps, awareness drives, and outreach initiatives, our students and faculty immerse themselves in the very fabric of society, forging partnerships that address health disparities and empower individuals to take control of their well-being.

The pursuit of knowledge is never confined to academia alone. In the Department of Community Medicine, research is a powerful tool to uncover insights that drive positive change. Our faculty and students delve into the heart of community issues, conducting rigorous research that sets the basis of evidence-based interventions. By partnering with local communities, we illuminate pathways towards better health outcomes through practices that resonate on a societal level.

In the present times, Department of Community Medicine being at the forefront of medical education nurtures holistic healers; community-oriented service that bridges healthcare and society, and community-based research that sparks evidence-based change. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of medicine, we remain steadfast in our commitment to producing professionals who view health as a collective journey, and whose work reverberates positively within the communities they serve.

Join us in our mission to transform health, one community at a time. Explore the Department of Community Medicine at Shifa College of Medicine and become part of a journey that transcends medicine, touching lives and shaping a healthier future for all.

Faculty Profiles

Prof. Dr. Saima Hamid

Dr. Umme Kulsoom Khattak

Naseem S, Khattak UK, Ghazanfar H, Irfan A. Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors at a semi-urban community, Pakistan. Pan African Medical Journal. 2016 Jul 12;23(1)
Khattak UK, Iqbal SP, Ghazanfar H, Kulsoom Khattak U. The role of parents’ literacy in malnutrition of children under the age of five years in a semi-urban community of Pakistan: a case-control study. Cureus. 2017 Jun 5;9(6)
Naseem S, Khattak UK, Ghazanfar H, Irfan A. Maternal health status in terms of utilisation of antenatal, natal and postnatal services in a Periurban setting of Islamabad: A community based survey. J Pak Med Assoc. 2017 Aug 1;67(8):1186-91
Ghazanfar H, Saleem S, Naseem S, Ghazanfar A, Khattak UK. Safe drinking water and sanitary measures: a cross-sectional study in peri-urban community of Islamabad. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2017 Feb 1;67(2):220-4
Khattak UK, Iqbal SP, Ghazanfar H. Role of sociocultural perceptions in malnutrition of children under the age of 5 years in a semi-urban community of Pakistan. J Pak Med Assoc. 2017 Aug 1;67(8):1213-9
Naeem Z, Savul S, Khattak UK, Janjua K. Impact of health education on knowledge on child sexual abuse among teachers in twin cities of Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Public Health. 2018 Dec 29;8(4):176-80
Khattak UK, Iqbal SP, Abdullah A, Chowhan A. Contraceptive prevalence rate in women of reproductive age in a semi urban community of Islamabad. Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. 2018;1(1):15-20
Khattak UK, Ahmer H, Jabin M. Role of accuracy of data in the functionality of primary health care system of Pakistan: A comparative study. The Professional Medical Journal. 2022 Oct 31;29(11):1689-94
Sami MA, Baig LA, Iqbal SP, Khattak UK, Gul F. Comparison of Peer-Assisted Learning with Traditional Faculty-led Teaching in Family Medicine Clerkship: An Experimental Study. Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons—Pakistan: JCPSP. 2022 Oct 1;32(10):1278-83
Khan AB, Shoaib RM, Khattak UK, Ali A, Qadeer AA, Kant SB, Abbasi MM. Association of Level of Amputation and Use of Prosthesis with Depression: A Multi-Centered Study. Pakistan Journal of Public Health. 2023 Mar 30;13(1):26-30.

Dr. Hameed Mumtaz Durrani

Durani HM et al. ‘WHO diabetic care guidelines: Knowledge and Practices of GPs in private practice Rawalpindi Pakistan” Pakistan Journal of Public Health 2013; 3(2):19-22.
Haq A, Durrani HM et al. Recognizing the Danger Signs and Health Seeking Behaviour of Mothers in Childhood Illness in Karachi, Pakistan” Universal Journal of Public Health 2015:3(2): 49-54.
Durani HM et al. “Prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents of Islamabad: a cross-sectional study” Pediatric Neonatal Nursing Open J. 2016; 4(1):8-11. Doi: 10.17140/PNNOJ-4-123.
Muhammad A, Durani HM et al. “Psychological impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health ON General Population of Islamabad, Pakistan” Journal of Islamabad Medical and Dental College 2020; 9(4): 256-261.
Durani HM et al. “Assessment of Preventable Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Diseases among Young Population” Pakistan Journal of Medical & Health Sciences 2021; 15(10): 3460-3462.
Haq A, Durrani HM et al. “Effectiveness of Integrated Management of Neonatal Childhood Illness (IMNCI) Tool in Chest X-Ray Positive Pneumonia Cases among Children Ages 2 Months to 5 Years A Cross-Sectional Study” Pakistan Journal of Medical & Health Sciences 2022; 16(11): 784-788.
Haider A, Omar J, Durani HM et al. Comparison of pre and post vaccinated Covid-19 antibody titers in general population” Bannu Medical College, Journal of Medical Sciences 2023; 36 – 42.

Dr. Saima Rafi

Meraj L, Naseem S, Mangrio S, Rafi S, Ashfaq T. Epidemiological trends of COVID-19 in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Public Health. 2023 Mar 30;13(1):18-21.
Naseem S, Bareach G, Rafi S, Mangrio S. Effectiveness of online multi-level assessment of research methodology in integrated curriculum – Students’ performance in Year 3 of undergraduate Medical Education. The Professional Medical Journal. 2022 Jul 31;29(08):1275-81.
Naseem S, Fatima SH, Rafi S, Meraj L. Perception of undergraduate medical students regarding civic responsibility through service learning by visiting persons with different abilities. Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College. 2022 Sep 30;26(3).
Naseem S, Rafi S, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Bareach G, Naeem Z. Conventional to virtual poster presentation in scholars’ day during coronavirus disease-19 lockdown: Medical students’ performance and perspective. International Journal of Health Sciences. 2021 Nov;15(6):23.
Afzal J, Rafi S, Javed D, Zafar S, Sajid M, Mahmood R. Assessment of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Expertise among Dental House Officers working in a dental hospital, Multan. PJMHS 202115(10):
Qazi MA, Rafi S. Assessment of facility-based emergency care services for road traffic injuries in tertiary care hospital, Larkana. Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. 2020 Aug 9;3(1):16-26.
Naseem S, Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bareach G, Rafi S, Tahir F, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Khalil R. Myths and misconceptions related to CoVID-19 among future health care providers in a private University of Islamabad-An interventional study. Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):81-7.
Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bareach G, Naseem S, Rafi S, Mangrio S. Mental health issues during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):122-7.

Dr. Maryum Rafiq

Chaudhry M, Sharif H, Shah SM, Javed S, Mangrio S. Assessment of Secondary Traumatic Stress in Health Care Professionals Working in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Islamabad: Assessment of Secondary Traumatic Stress in Health Care Professionals. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences. 2022 Nov 30:36-40.
Javed S, Waqar S, Sharif H, Chaudhry M, Kiyani YF. Assessment of Preoperative Anxiety Among Patients of Open-Heart Surgery at Cardiac Centers of Rawalpindi and Islamabad: Preoperative Anxiety among Patients of Open-Heart Surgery. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences. 2022 Sep 30:126-30.
Aftab I, Tahir Q, Chaudhry M, Shah SM, Anjum U. Responsiveness towards Patients Seeking Eye Care in a Tertiary Eye Care Hospital of Rawalpindi City- Al- Shifa Journal of Ophthalmology Vol. 18, No. 1, January – March 2022

Dr. Sadia Ajaib

Ms. Sana Mangrio

Farooq N, Alvi NR, Mangrio S, Rahim SA, Riaz Z. A rural community-based investigation to assess mHealth for family planning advice in district Multan. Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College. 2023 Apr 1;27(1).
Meraj L, Naseem S, Mangrio S, Rafi S, Ashfaq T. Epidemiological trends of COVID-19 in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Public Health. 2023 Mar 30;13(1):18-21.
Chaudhry M, Sharif H, Shah SM, Javed S, Mangrio S. Assessment of Secondary Traumatic Stress in Health Care Professionals Working in Tertiary Care Hospitals of Islamabad: Assessment of Secondary Traumatic Stress in Health Care Professionals. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences. 2022 Nov 30:36-40.
Naseem S, Bareach G, Rafi S, Mangrio S. Effectiveness of online multi-level assessment of research methodology in integrated curriculum – Students’ performance in Year 3 of undergraduate Medical Education. The Professional Medical Journal. 2022 Jul 31;29(08):1275-81.
Naseem S, Rafi S, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Bareach G, Naeem Z. Conventional to virtual poster presentation in scholars’ day during coronavirus disease-19 lock down: Medical students’ performance and perspective. International Journal of Health Sciences. 2021 Nov;15(6):23.
Naseem S, Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bereach G, Rafi S, Tahir F, Qazi MA, Mangrio S, Khalil R. Myths and misconceptions related to CoVID-19 among future health care providers in a private University of Islamabad-An interventional study. Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):81-7.
Naeem Z, Choudhry H, Bareach G, Naseem S, Rafi S, Mangrio S. Mental health issues during COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University. 2020 Dec 23;3(2):122-7.

Visits

The department is well equipped with all requisite models /specimens and equipment forsmall group discussions. Field visit to places of public health relevance and importance are carried out to enhance student skills and understanding of importantpublic health issues. Following activities and visits are carried out in order to achieve the competencies of the curriculum

Annual Tree Plantation Activity

Funds are generated every year by Community Medicine Department in collaboration with junior clerkship students to plant 100-200 trees in parks located adjacent to SCM.

Spending Time with Special children

Students spend a day followed by serving as well as eating luxurious lunch with special children at “Care For Special Persons Foundation” in order to practice compassion, empathy, and develop sense of service to humanity.

Street Children School, Mashal Model School, Nurpur Shahan

Donations of money, stationery items, school bags, clothes, milk cartons, white boards, board markers, winter clothes, socks, and caps are generated for the schools’ children which are then handed over personally to the students and the administration by visiting the school

Awareness regarding Child Sexual Abuse

School children and teachers in the public / private sector in Rawalpindi / Islamabad are educated about child sexual abuse through role plays, videos, and lectures.

Visit to SOS Children Village

Students visit SOS Children Village in order to promote empathy, assist in donation of different items and distribution of healthy snacks.

National Institute of Special Education

Students get an overview of the work being carried out at National level regarding training of staff as well as special persons with different disabilities.

Thalassemia Center

Students visit thalassemia center in order learn to empathize with the patients suffering from thalassemia and to understand issues faced by their families, to understand the practical steps followed during blood transfusions among these children, to highlight the importance and role of prenatal counseling and diagnosis in order to prevent the disease in the next generation

Special Children’s School

Donations by clerkship students are utilized to provide wheel chairs, sponsor the school students, and to provide utility items.

Health Promotion Activities through Health Talks

Health talks are delivered by the students at Shifa Rotary Clinic in Nur Pur Shahan village to create awareness regarding prevention of diseases and promotion of health in the semi urban communities of Pakistan.

Nutritional Assessment of School Going Children

Assessment of nutritional status is carried out by students in underprivileged schools followed by providence of nutritional supplementation which is generously donated by the students.

Health Education and Awareness of School Going Children

Students deliver talks on common health problems in different schools to raise awareness regarding preventing diseases and promoting health.

Deworming & Vitamin D supplementation of School Children

About 800 school children of Mashal Model School at Nurpur Shahan village in Islamabad were dewormed and given Vitamin D Supplementation in two separate visits in order to promote child wellbeing.

Distribution of Multivitamins

Multivitamins are distributed to street children in Nurpur Shahan village in order to address nutritional deficiency as part of malnutrition in the community.

Visit to RHC/ BHU

Students get familiarized with the working of Health care system of Pakistan at the level of Primary Health Care.

Dialysis Center

A visit to the dialysis center is arranged in order to develop empathy in students with patients suffering with kidney problems and to understand the steps carried out during dialysis procedures.

Blood Bank

A visit to blood bank is carried out in order to practically understand and learn the prerequisites, procedures, and aftercare regarding blood transfusion process for both the donor and the recipient

Hospital Waste Management

Students are exposed to the hospital waste management system in the setting of SIH where they see how different types of hospital wastes are generated, collected, transported, and disposed using appropriate techniques while following infection control guidelines.