The Post Graduate Course in Community Eye Health was started in 1998. The course is run in close collaboration with International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH) London, and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and is affiliated with the Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The course is primarily designed for doctors and ophthalmologists, working in the field of Ophthalmology who want to pursue a career in Public Health / Community Eye Health. The course has been modified according to the rules and regulations of Higher Education Commission, Pakistan and Pakistan Medical & Dental Council the duration has been extended from one to two years.The Institute caters for the requirements of Community Ophthalmologist within the country and EMR region.

Aims and Objectives of the course:
The Master in Public Health degree is designed to prepare students to address the broad mission of public health, defined as “enhancing health in human populations through organized community effort, utilizing education, research, and community service”.

• To introduce   the candidates to the magnitude, causes and distribution of burden of various diseases including blindness & visual impairment in the world, region, country, province and district.
• To introduce them to the study of the health system in district / Province / Country and identify the issues in the optimum functioning of the health system.
• To enable them to plan, implement, analyze and interpret different epidemiological studies for need assessment of burden of diseases with their causes including blindness, visual impairment and other eye ailments.
• To  introduce  them  to  the  concept of  different level of health care including   primary  health care, primary  eye  care  and  the  integration  of  Primary Eye Care in to Primary Health Care.
• To enable them to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate health / eye care activities at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
• To enable them to help clinicians in relevant epidemiological research.
• To enable them to understand the foundation of health promotion practice and their philosophical and value base.  
• To enable them to develop educational material relevant to health promotion and prevention of disease.
• To introduce them to the concepts of rehabilitation in individuals who are suffering from disability including irreversible blindness, at all levels.
• To enhance their managerial skills in order to improve the health care ensuring patient safety and satisfaction.

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Admission Policy:
The Institute abides by its strict merit based criteria with absolute transparency to select its student for the MPH Program. Every year, the number of Pakistani and foreign students is yearly fixed by the Graduate & Research Management Council of the University. The institute has the right of correction, rectification on account of typographical mistakes is permissible but amendment during admission process will not be made. Course is open for candidates from Pakistan and abroad

Eligibility Criteria for National Students:
All the candidates applying for admission in MPH course must fulfill the  following requirements:

1. MBBS or equivalent
2. One year house job
3. Valid PMDC  registration
4. Domicile certificates
5. Merit  will be determine by :                                                                 

                                                                                                                                                                        Weightage
MBBS  academic records                                                                    25%
FSc                                                                                                    10%
Matric                                                                                                  5%

• Preference will be given to postgraduate / experience in Ophthalmology.
• Postgraduate major diploma FCPS or equivalent                     10 %
• Postgraduate minor diploma MCPS or equivalent                       5 %
• Experience in Ophthalmology       1 mark / year                  max.5 %
• Interview marks                                                                        40%

Eligibility Criteria for Overseas Students:
      1. MBBS or equivalent
      2. Registration of their degrees in their own country
      3. Recommendation from their Govt. and or PICO partners.

The students are required to submit the following documents along with application form:

• A complete set of official transcripts of academic record in college, graduate school, and/or professional schools, with certification of degrees conferred, courses taken and grades received.
• A statement of objectives, summarizing past education, training and experience, as well as interests and future aims is required. A curriculum vitae and list of publications, if any, should be included with the application form.

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Curriculum Outline for MPH
The course will be spread over two years with 52 Credit hours of study.

Year one: Will constitute taught courses in the forms of various teaching modules of 40 credit hours.

Year Two: Will constitute an assignment and dissertation writing under supervision at their own workplace equal to 6 credit hours each.

Course Structure:
During the first year all those selected for the course will have to be resident students. The first year course will consist of:

The course is more practical as each of the theory module is followed by work field.
The Second year is non residnet. The student will have to complete his research thesis within 06 months and also complete an assignment or task given to him / her related to his job.

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Facilities at PICO:
Well equiped and comfortable class rooms with all modern teaching aids.

	Computer lab: With a capacity for 15 students.
	RLRC:With facility of reference books in clinical health, community ophthalmology, communication skills, management, research & public health including latest Publications of World Health Organization. More than 25 Medical & Health policy Journals are available in the Resource Center.
	Reading area: With a capacity for the 30 students

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Classrooms:
Classrooms are spacious and fully equipped with modern teaching aids.

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Computer Labs:
Computer facilities are provided for students in order to assist them in developing computing skills.

 

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Field work:
The Institute also offers fieldwork during Epidemiology module for practical experience in field surveys. The students visit Primary Health Centers, Secondary Eye Care facilities in Government, NGO & Private sector. In this way they acquire a first hand knowledge and practical experience in eye health planning and management.

Field work Pictures:

Students in their field survey

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Future Prospects of MPH Students:

 

The student learns the principles of Public Health in general and Community Eye Health in particular. Graduates can function as Managers National Prevention of Blindness Programme and in other health sectors. They can serve as faculty for national, regional centres and institutions of community eye health. They can function as district community ophthalmologist and Programme of Prevention of Blindness Programmes. They can function within the tertiary teaching institutions and resource centres responsible for the training of allied health and medical undergraduate and postgraduate personnel.

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For Further Details E-Mail To: coursescoordinator@pico.org.pk

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