- Dr Shoro said sudden increase in tuition fees poses challenges for students.
- He believes increasing cost of medical education will have adverse effects.
- He urged government to closely monitor and regulate tuition fee increases.
KARACHI: Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) expresses grave concern over the unprecedented increase in fees of medical colleges in the country.
Hon. Secretary General, of Pakistan Medical Association (Centre), Dr Abdul Ghafoor Shoro in his statement said this sudden and intense escalation of tuition fees poses significant challenges for aspiring medical students and their families, as it significantly limits access to quality medical education.
He believes that the increasing cost of medical education will have adverse effects on the healthcare system in the long run. With higher tuition fees, only those from affluent backgrounds will be able to pursue a career in medicine, resulting in a lack of diversity and representation among medical professionals.
“This could exacerbate existing healthcare disparities, particularly in underserved areas and marginalized communities. The financial constraints may also deter medical graduates from pursuing specialties that are essential for the country’s healthcare needs, such as primary care and rural medicine” he added.
PMA recognizes the need for medical institutions to maintain financial sustainability and provide necessary resources for training future healthcare professionals. However, this should not be accomplished at the expense of depriving deserving students of the opportunity to pursue their dreams and contribute to society’s well-being.
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Dr Shoro urged the government to closely monitor and regulate tuition fee increases, as well as to implement policies that promote affordable medical education. Adequate funding for healthcare and education should be prioritized to ensure a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system for the benefit of all Pakistanis.