The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has called on provincial health departments to take urgent action to address the growing gap between the number of medical graduates and the limited availability of postgraduate (PG) training positions in the country.
According to the PMDC, this imbalance has become a major factor contributing to the increasing brain drain of Pakistani doctors, who seek better training opportunities and career prospects abroad.
In an official statement, the council highlighted that while Pakistan has significantly expanded undergraduate medical education over the past two decades, the growth in postgraduate training infrastructure has not kept pace. As a result, thousands of medical graduates face intense competition each year for a limited number of residency positions.
The shortage is particularly severe in the public sector, where most structured and funded postgraduate training programs are offered. This situation leaves many qualified doctors without proper training opportunities, forcing them to consider moving overseas.
The PMDC emphasized that addressing this issue is critical for strengthening Pakistan’s healthcare system. Without sufficient postgraduate training, the country risks losing skilled professionals who are essential for delivering quality healthcare services.
The council has placed responsibility on provincial governments, as they manage the majority of public-sector hospitals and training institutions. Expanding the number of postgraduate training slots and improving infrastructure are seen as key steps toward resolving the issue.
Experts believe that if the gap between medical graduates and training opportunities is not addressed, the brain drain of doctors will continue to rise, further weakening the healthcare system.
In conclusion, the PMDC’s recommendation highlights a pressing challenge in Pakistan’s medical education sector. Increasing postgraduate training capacity will be essential not only to retain talent but also to ensure the long-term sustainability of the country’s healthcare services.
