Medical Education in Pakistan

 

In Pakistan, the field of medicine or becoming a medical doctor is considered an honorable and prestigious profession. Many academically bright students have the desire to enter into medical profession and become a medical doctor.

Many parents also encourage their sons and daughters to study hard to get good grades in schools and colleges so that they could get admissions in medical colleges.

 

The path to medical education in Pakistan

The traditional path of becoming a medical doctor in Pakistan starts from FSc. (Pre-Medical). Many government run colleges and institutes that offer FSc. have high merit for admissions and usually the ones with good marks and grades are able to get entry into FSc. (Pre-Medical).

After two years of rigorous study, the lucky few students are able to get admission into professional medical colleges in public and private sector. The criteria of entry into professional medical colleges depends on a number of factors, including grades in matriculation and FSc., potential of student, passing of written entry test and interview.

 

Professional colleges offering medical education in Pakistan

In the last few years, there has been a tremendous growth in the number of colleges and universities offering professional medical education in Pakistan. The number of medical colleges and universities has increased in both public and private sectors.

 

Medical colleges in public sector

There is huge demand for admissions in public sector medical colleges in Pakistan. These are old, well reputed and prestigious institutions and students vie for getting admission into these. Since the introduction of entry tests, number of candidates applying for admissions has increased manifold. In old system, the criteria of high marks denied many students the opportunity to apply for admissions. However, now a student securing at least 60% marks in FSc. is eligible to apply for admissions.

Pros and cons of studying in public sector medical colleges in Pakistan

Fee: The biggest advantage of studying in public sector medical colleges is fee structure. The fee structure in the government run colleges and universities is designed keeping in view the socio-economic background of a diverse range of student body. This gives the opportunity to bright and hardworking students from lower income backgrounds to study in the public sector medical colleges at a reasonable cost.

Teaching Faculty: The teaching faculty of public sector medical colleges and universities comprises eminent professors and medical professionals who have vast experience in their field. It is considered an honor and privilege to teach at medical colleges of repute and therefore best teachers join these institutes.

Facilities: The course curriculum and laboratory facilities in many public sector medical colleges are advanced as they do not have financial issues. The government allocates budget for these institutes and therefore best equipment and facilities are acquired for the benefit of students.  

Alumni: The alumni of public sector medical colleges and universities have been rendering services at all the public and private hospitals and medical facilities in Pakistan as well as abroad. Former graduates of the public sector medical colleges have been working at senior positions and many also head various hospitals and medical centers. This is advantageous for a student in his/her career hunt after graduating from the college.

 

Pros and cons of studying in private sector medical colleges in Pakistan

Fee: A major disadvantage of studying in private sector medical colleges is high fee structure. As private sector medical colleges have to generate almost all their revenue from student fees, these are usually inclined upwards. The major criteria for entry into most private medical college is ability to pay the fee. Therefore, the entry merit is low in these colleges as many students with low marks can get admission provided they are able to pay the high fees.

Teaching Faculty: The teaching faculty of private sector medical colleges and universities comprises professionals as well as younger graduates. As many of these colleges offer lower salaries, they also hire young teachers who are not much experienced in their field. This has an impact on the quality of teaching in these institutes.  

Facilities: The course curriculum and laboratory facilities in most of the private sector medical colleges are not much desirable due to lack of financial resources. Unlike government run medical colleges, the private sector institutions have to purchase all the equipment and other facilities from their own financial resources and this has a compromising effect on services.

Alumni: The alumni of private sector medical colleges and universities are less diverse as many are still working in low management positions in the medical field or as field staff. It takes decades to develop a diverse body of alumni that is present in most hospitals and medical centers.