Pakistan Sees Sharp Decline in Students Choosing Medicine

Recent data from the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council reveals a significant drop in students opting for medical careers, raising concerns among health professionals. The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) warns that fewer young people are pursuing medicine, citing various factors driving this decline. Official statistics show a precipitous fall in the number of candidates taking the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) over recent years.

While 204,253 students registered in 2022, the figure plunged to around 138,000 in 2026. This downward trend has continued despite efforts to prolong the registration period. The PMA attributes the decline to increasing medical college fees, bleak career prospects for young doctors, delayed financial incentives, and a scarcity of paid postgraduate residency positions.

Additionally, the association cites instances of violence against healthcare workers and inadequate legal safeguards for medical professionals as contributing to the crisis. Young people are turning to lucrative alternatives such as computer science, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and health data analytics, which offer better career advancement, higher starting salaries, and international employment opportunities.

Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, the PMA Secretary-General, urges health authorities and the PMDC to tackle these challenges rather than resorting to lowering MDCAT passing scores to fill vacant seats. The association advocates for measures such as capping private medical college fees, prompt stipend payments, regular appointment of medical officers, and legislation to shield healthcare professionals from abuse.