Department of Community Medicine
The Department of Community Medicine began functioning in the academic year 1971–72, soon after Kasturba Medical College, Manipal was established in 1953. Originally the Department of Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM), it was renamed Community Medicine in 1981 on the recommendations of the Medical Council of India, and introduced its MD in Community Medicine programme in January 1986. Strengthened early on by the USAID-sponsored Manipal Health Project, the department has grown in stature to manage major health projects and to play a prominent role in shaping health systems, policies, and programmes in India.
Highlights
- Functioning since 1971–72 and offering an MD in Community Medicine since January 1986, with deep roots in preventive and social medicine.
- The Manipal Health Project, sponsored by USAID and the Medical Relief Society of South Kanara, strengthened the Rural Maternal and Child Welfare (RMCW) homes in Udupi taluk, creating an excellent field practice area.
- Manages healthcare projects funded by leading national and international agencies, including the ICMR, DST, NIPCCD, PATH, MRC-UK, and ICIMPACTS.
- Faculty are doctorates in community health, each diversified into an area of interest, giving the department a rich and varied research profile.
- Trained as primary care physicians, researchers, and administrators, faculty combine clinical skills with epidemiological and management principles to benefit the community.
- At the forefront of policy reform, disaster response, and large-scale pandemics, contributing prominently to strengthening India's health systems, policies, and programmes.
Services
Offered
Primary Healthcare and Community Outreach
Primary healthcare is provided to the rural population through a network of family health centres, which also serve as places where the community gathers for information on better health. Screening for communicable and non-communicable diseases forms an integral part of this care, alongside a focus on elderly, women, and child health. The centres offer general OPD services; antenatal and postnatal care together with gynaecological services; an under-5 clinic and vaccination; physiotherapy; eye check-ups; clinical psychology; occupational therapy; a dental clinic; ECG; routine lab investigations; and cancer screening. Beyond healthcare, regular health education camps are organised across the field practice areas to raise awareness of health promotion and disease prevention.
