KARACHI: Expressing deep concern regarding the unprecedented surge in the fees of medical colleges across the country, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has demanded the government monitor and regulate the fee hikes to save the academic careers of students from less affluent backgrounds.
Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Honorary Secretary General of the Pakistan Medical Association (Centre), highlighted in a statement that the abrupt and substantial rise in tuition fees presents significant challenges for prospective medical students and their families, substantially restricting access to high-quality medical education.
The PMA contends that the escalating cost of medical education will have detrimental implications for the healthcare system in the long term. The heightened tuition fees may only be affordable to individuals from affluent backgrounds, leading to a lack of diversity and representation within the medical profession. This, in turn, could worsen existing healthcare disparities, particularly in underserved regions and marginalized communities.
Additionally, the financial constraints may dissuade medical graduates from pursuing essential specialties, such as primary care and rural medicine, crucial for addressing the country's healthcare needs, it warns.
While acknowledging the need for medical institutions to maintain financial sustainability and provide adequate resources for training future healthcare professionals, the PMA says that this should not come at the expense of denying deserving students the opportunity to pursue their aspirations and contribute to societal well-being.
The PMA urges the government to monitor and regulate tuition fee increases while advocating for policies that foster affordable medical education. Prioritizing ample funding for healthcare and education is crucial to establish a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system for the benefit of all Pakistanis.