Institute of family medicine known as IOFM, is a non-profit making private health care organisation, registered under the Private Health Service Regulatory Council in Sri Lanka.

In 16th of April 2005, the International Conference on “Evolution of Family Medicine in Sri Lanka” was held in the University of Jaffna. This event marked the day of Inauguration of Institute of Family Medicine at 125 Main Street Jaffna.

This event was sponsored by the Medical Institute of Tamils (MIOT) and supported by the College of General Practitioners Sri Lanka (CGPSL) and Department of Community and Family Medicine (DCFM) – University of Jaffna. Eminent Family Physicians from the UK and Sri Lanka were in attendance and shared their vision to establish and augment the concept of Family Medicine according to the Alma – Ata Declaration.

The World Health Organisation’s  Alma-Ata Declaration states that “there is a need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers, and the world community to protect and promote the health of all the people of the world.” It was the first international declaration stating the importance of primary health care and outlining the role of governments and their responsibilities to the health of the world’s citizens.