For the first time, private medical colleges in Punjab have failed to fill all available MBBS seats, raising serious concerns. Despite issuing a fifth admission list, a total of 426 seats remain vacant, signaling a worrying shift in student preferences.
According to official admission data, 109 candidates did not enroll at all, while 317 students withdrew after securing admission. This unusual trend has highlighted deeper structural issues within Pakistan’s medical education and healthcare employment system.
Education experts say the primary reason behind declining interest is limited job availability for young doctors. After completing house jobs, many graduates struggle to secure postgraduate training positions, leaving them stuck without clear career progression.
Low salary structures have further discouraged aspiring medical students. Medical officers in private hospitals reportedly earn around Rs40,000, which is even less than the Rs60,000 paid to house officers.
This disparity becomes more alarming considering the high cost of medical education. Students often spend more than Rs15 million on private medical degrees, only to face underemployment after graduation.
Concerns about declining educational standards in some private medical colleges have also contributed to the crisis. Issues such as inadequate clinical exposure, strict attendance rules, and weak regulatory oversight have damaged confidence.
Critics argue that poor monitoring by regulatory authorities has allowed institutions to operate without proper facilities or attached teaching hospitals. Estimates suggest 20,000 to 30,000 doctors are currently unemployed, forcing many students to rethink medicine as a career.
Also read: Private Medical Colleges Release Admission Schedule
