Retirement Age Raised to 75 – A Smart Reform or a Temporary Fix by PMDC?

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) recently raised the retirement age for senior faculty members to 75 years, sparking debate on whether this is a progressive reform or a short-term solution. As Pakistan struggles with a severe shortage of medical educators, this policy aims to retain experienced professors who are crucial in mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. However, while this move addresses an immediate challenge, it does not resolve the systemic issues that plague Pakistan's medical education sector. The potential impact of this policy on the quality of medical education, both positive and negative, needs to be carefully considered.

Urgent Need to Address Medical Faculty Shortages: A Quick Fix or Sustainable Strategy?

Pakistan's medical and dental colleges have long struggled with a shortage of qualified faculty. This crisis has been exacerbated by the ongoing brain drain, with skilled professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. While extending senior professors' service period helps temporarily bridge this gap, it fails to address the root cause: Pakistan's inability to retain and attract top-tier medical professionals.

The Invaluable Role of Senior Faculty in Medical Education

Experienced professors bring decades of hands-on clinical expertise, research insight, and invaluable mentorship to medical institutions. Their contributions are irreplaceable in training the next generation of doctors and dentists. However, there is a downside to extending the retirement age without implementing performance-based assessments. Medical sciences evolve rapidly, and older faculty members may struggle to keep pace with emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and modern diagnostic techniques. Ensuring continued professional development and structured faculty evaluations will be essential to maintaining education quality.

The Real Problem: Brain Drain in Pakistan's Medical Sector

While raising the retirement age keeps experienced educators in the system, it does not address the more significant issue of medical brain drain. Many highly trained Pakistani medical professionals migrate to countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East due to higher salaries, better research opportunities, and superior working conditions. Suppose PMDC is serious about revitalizing its medical education system. In that case, it must create incentives to attract and retain its top talent, Which requires a comprehensive strategy that includes competitive salaries, improved research facilities, and international collaboration.

Solutions to Counter Brain Drain:

     1. Competitive Salary Packages – The salaries in Pakistan's public-sector medical institutions must be revised to match international standards. Competitive compensation can help retain talent and encourage expatriate professionals to return.

     2. Enhanced Research Facilities – Many returning professionals struggle with research infrastructure. Investment in state-of-the-art laboratories and academic resources is critical.

     3. International Collaboration – Establishing partnerships with global medical institutions can provide faculty with research grants, exchange programs, and opportunities for academic growth.

Building a Sustainable Faculty Pipeline

While extending the retirement age is temporary, PMDC must prioritize training the next generation of medical educators. The government and academic institutions should:

• Develop structured mentorship programs for mid-career faculty.
• Offer fellowships and international training opportunities.
• Promote leadership development initiatives for younger educators.

Is PMDC's Decision Enough?

The PMDC's decision to raise the retirement age to 75 is necessary and praiseworthy but insufficient. While it temporarily relieves the faculty shortage crisis, it does not eliminate the structural deficiencies within the system. Long-term reforms, including competitive salaries, improved research facilities, and investment in faculty development, are crucial to strengthening Pakistan's medical education sector. Policymakers, educators, and stakeholders must work collectively to build a sustainable, high-quality medical education framework for the future.