Islamabad, Feb 8 (NationPress) - In 2025, approximately 4,000 doctors departed from Pakistan in search of improved career opportunities. A report indicates that many skilled professionals begin exploring options abroad as soon as they complete their education.

A comprehensive data analysis conducted by Gallup Pakistan, using records from the Bureau of Emigration, reveals that about 3,800 to 4,000 doctors officially emigrated last year, representing a historic high in medical migration from the nation. Annually, Pakistan produces around 22,000 new doctors and has approximately 370,000 registered doctors, as highlighted in an editorial from The News International.

With a population nearing 250 million, the country requires at least 250,000 doctors to align with the WHO standard of one doctor per 1,000 individuals. While Pakistan seems to fulfill this criterion on paper, a significant number of registered doctors are not actively practicing. The primary challenges contributing to the dysfunctionality of our healthcare system include deep-rooted infrastructural and cultural issues that deter many female doctors from entering the workforce.

A 2023 Gallup survey found that 35 percent of female medical doctors in Pakistan are not employed. Reasons for this vary, with some facing societal pressures while others confront increasingly challenging working conditions. As transportation remains chaotic, many young female doctors choose alternative careers rather than risk traveling at night or during inconvenient hours.

Moreover, a significant number of doctors exit the profession due to inadequate salaries. In the past, young doctors organized protests to voice their concerns regarding the demanding working environment. However, these protests have largely diminished as successive governments have shown little interest in addressing their grievances, according to the editorial from The News International.

Healthcare resources in Pakistan are predominantly located in urban centers, forcing critically ill patients to travel to a select few cities for treatment. This places immense strain on the already overstretched healthcare facilities in urban areas, resulting in healthcare professionals being overworked.

The lack of access to advanced healthcare infrastructure and research facilities further discourages ambitious professionals from remaining in Pakistan. Many doctors express frustration over the absence of modern medical equipment, training avenues, and collaborative environments, making the allure of practicing in more technologically advanced healthcare systems abroad hard to resist.