Brain-drain and disillusionment of our younger generation with medical profession; a challenge to reckon

Abstract

Medicine is a challenging career that requires a lot of dedication and discipline from students for success. Various motivational factors incline students to a life of the medical profession. ¹

Becoming a doctor is an incredible achievement—but it’s not the right path for everyone as it takes almost a decade to reach destination after 12 years of basic education. Embarking on a life of medical practice without the proper enthusiasm is not enough to withstand the immense amount of stress involved. The growing number of vacant seats reflects changing trends, with parents and students increasingly reluctant to opt for  medical education . Exorbiant  tuition fees, limited career prospects, and difficult working conditions for young doctors are some of the decisive factors in countries like ours. Pakistan's  healthcare system is overburdened where the doctor-to-patient ratio is 1:1300, significantly lower than the World Health Organization's recommended ratio of 1:1000.The challenges faced by Pakistan's healthcare system include insufficient funding, (only 0.9% of its GDP on healthcare)  inadequate healthcare workforce and infrastructure, less focus on preventive health, inequitable distribution of resources and brain drain. ² These factors have lead the future generation  to  reassess whether the long haul of medical education guarantees a stable professional future.