Ahmedabad: Family physicians, once a familiar presence in neighbourhoods across the city, are becoming increasingly rare, doctors said on World Family Doctor Day on May 19. These MBBS-qualified general practitioners, were traditionally known not only for prescribing medicines but also for advising patients on diet, lifestyle and overall well-being, while maintaining close ties with families over generations.“Today, we are a dying breed,” said Dr R I Patel, president of the Ahmedabad Family Physicians Association.“The last MBBS doctor we saw in our area was about a decade ago. This is the situation everywhere. The decline can be attributed to several factors, including the rise in postgraduate medical seats, opportunities in govt services, and alternative career paths such as hospital management or employment with large hospitals,” he added.Dr Pragnesh Vachcharajani, general secretary of the Federation of Family Physicians’ Associations of India (FFPAI), said family physicians continue to play a key role in primary healthcare and work alongside specialists in patient treatment.To mark the occasion, family physicians in Ahmedabad launched a new logo aimed at assuring patients of quality care and giving allopathy practitioners a distinct identity, he said.
