Pakistan’s Healthcare Faces Alarming Gaps as Female Doctors Exit Profession

A recent Senate committee meeting has spotlighted a troubling trend in Pakistan’s healthcare system: a significant number of female medical graduates are not continuing into active medical practice. Despite 22,000 doctors graduating annually, many—especially women—leave the profession soon after earning their degrees.

The Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, chaired by Senator Amir Waliuddin Chishti, raised this issue during a session that also covered administrative control of Islamabad Dental Hospital and broader healthcare reforms.

Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal acknowledged the dropout rate and emphasized the need for systemic changes. Senator Anusha Rehman proposed doubling the number of medical graduates to 44,000 to meet the demands of Pakistan’s 250 million citizens.

The committee also discussed the administrative tug-of-war between Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), with a decision pending from an internal ministry review.

Medicine pricing emerged as another sensitive topic. The minister requested that discussions on hardship cases and new registrations be held in-camera due to the complexity and public impact of the issue.

Budget constraints are compounding the challenges. The ministry’s budget dropped from Rs 21 billion to Rs 14 billion this year, halting 12 proposed projects and straining ongoing ones.

Senators voiced concerns about overcrowded hospitals, absentee consultants, and the lack of basic facilities. PIMS, for instance, was built to serve 3,000 patients but now handles over 10,000 daily, many from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.

The healthcare card system was also debated. While some provinces offer it, others—including Sindh—are still catching up. Minister Kamal noted that 16 hospitals in Sindh are already providing free treatment, even without the card system.

Migration of doctors remains a pressing issue. Many Pakistani doctors are moving abroad, particularly to Ireland, lured by salaries around €3,000 per month. This brain drain further weakens the domestic healthcare workforce.

The committee also reviewed the regulatory framework for aesthetic medicine and recommended adding expert senators to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) board to ensure informed decision-making.

As Pakistan grapples with healthcare reform, the dropout of female doctors and systemic inefficiencies demand urgent attention. The Senate’s discussions mark a step toward addressing these deep-rooted issues—but much work remains.