January 23, 2009

In 2005 leaders from the IDSP sent a proposal to CPSP for a formal training program with the primary goal of producing experts in the field of clinical infectious disease in Pakistan. The proposal was mooted but with change in CPSP’s leadership it was shelved. Earlier last year IDSP re-opened the subject with CPSP’s councilor Dr Rizwan Azami who re-introduced the proposal and followed it through.

Last week we were informed that CPSP has approved Infectious Disease as a 2 year training for Infectious Disease fellowship.

Candidates would be medical graduates (MBBS) and would have completed formal residency training in medicine and thus would be expected to be Fellows of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPSP) or equivalent. They will be trained for two years – (plus an optional third year in research). This training will be sited at centers with ID expertise. The format of training is based on the existing format followed by the CPSP for other subspecialties it oversees and certifies and is reflective of the system followed in the US and other countries.

This training would include outpatient clinics, inpatient consultation, exposure to microbiology and pediatric ID as well as research. There would be formal evaluations and successful candidates awarded the FCPS (infectious diseases). Thus the final examination and certification would be carried out by the CPSP along its established and validated methodology.

Individual teaching hospitals with expertise in Infectious Disease will now apply for accreditation and announce positions. This is expected to take several weeks to months from this time.

Dr. Naseem Salahuddin

Founder member IDSP