For the first time, private medical colleges in Punjab have failed to fill all available MBBS seats, with 426 seats remaining vacant even after the issuance of a fifth admission list. Admission data shows that 109 candidates did not enrol at all, while 317 students withdrew after initially securing admission, signaling a serious downturn in interest in medical education.
Job Market Pressures Discourage Medical Students
Education experts say the decline is driven by limited job opportunities, low salaries, and uncertain career prospects for young doctors in Pakistan. After completing their house jobs, many medical graduates struggle to secure postgraduate training positions, which are essential for career progression.
Private hospitals reportedly pay medical officers around Rs. 40,000 per month, which is even lower than the Rs. 60,000 earned by house officers, despite the heavy financial burden of medical education that can exceed Rs. 15 million in tuition and related costs.
Declining Standards in Some Private Medical Colleges
Concerns over falling educational standards in certain private medical institutions have further discouraged students and parents. Complaints include strict attendance policies, limited clinical exposure, absence of attached teaching hospitals, and weak regulatory oversight.
Critics argue that insufficient monitoring by regulatory authorities has allowed several colleges to operate without meeting essential academic and clinical requirements, undermining the overall quality of medical training in the country.
Rising Unemployment Among Doctors in Pakistan
Estimates suggest that 20,000 to 30,000 doctors are currently unemployed in Pakistan, pushing many students to reconsider medicine as a viable career choice.
Analysts warn that unless health sector reforms, better workforce planning, and stronger regulation of medical colleges are implemented, the country could face long-term challenges in both medical education and healthcare delivery.
