AS medical students, we are fortunate to be pursuing this noble profession that demands a lifelong commitment to serving and saving lives. For many of us, this dream began in childhood, fuelled by a desire

to make a difference. But what no one prepared us for was the cost of chasing that dream. For students in private medical colleges, the journey comes with an unimaginable financial burden. The annual fee often exceeds Rs3 million, and that is just the beginning. Add to that a minimum of Rs500,000 for hostel, books, transportation and other expenses, and the total cost crosses Rs15 million over the five-year course. This is not just a number.

Behind each student is a family that often sacrifices everything — selling property, taking loans, spending lifetime’s savings — just to support one child’s education. For many parents, the dream of seeing their child wear a white coat comes at the cost of their own peace of mind and financial stability.

We entered medicine knowing it would be challenging, but we did not expect the weight of financial anxiety. It is hard to focus on complex pharmacology lectures or hospital rounds when one’s thoughts are badly clouded with worries about whether the younger siblings will be able to get into such institutions as well, or whether one will ever be free of debt.

For many, the pressure leads to burnout, anxiety and even depression. How can we be expected to care for others when we are struggling to stay afloat ourselves? We are not asking for shortcuts or special treatment. We are only asking for fairness.

The authorities must re-evaluate the fee structures of private medical institutions. Medical education should be a public good, not a luxury. Reducing the fee or introducing subsidies and transparent caps would lighten the burden on the students, and also encourage more talented individuals to join the field. Pakistan needs more doctors, especially in rural areas. But if we continue to make medical education unaffordable, we risk shutting the door on thousands of aspiring and capable students who could serve where they are needed the most.

Marjan Majeed
Gambat

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2025