PMDC links MBBS tuition fee hike to CPI inflation: A risky decision for future doctors

ISLAMABAD: In a major shift in Pakistan's medical education system, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has decided to tie MBBS tuition fees to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate. According to the PMDC’s notification dated 29th April 2025, tuition fees for the current academic year have been capped at PKR 1.8 million. However, a 5% increase in fees has been approved for Session 2025, with future fee hikes based on CPI inflation starting in Session 2026.

Image of official PMDC notification

While the decision to link fees to inflation might seem like a logical move, the reality of Pakistan’s unpredictable inflation rates raises serious concerns for medical students and their families.

The issue with linking tuition fees to CPI inflation

Over the past few years, CPI inflation has been unusually high in Pakistan, with rates reaching 29.2% in FY 2022-23 and 23.41% in FY 2023-24. The new policy gives medical colleges the authority to increase tuition fees according to CPI inflation, meaning future fee hikes could escalate quickly if inflation spikes again. If the inflation rate exceeds 20% in future years, MBBS tuition fees could rise by a similar percentage, making education increasingly difficult to afford.

A volatile economic environment for students and families

Pakistan’s inflation has been notoriously volatile, and by tying tuition fees to CPI inflation, the PMDC is setting the stage for unpredictable and extreme fee increases. In the event of another economic crisis, medical students could face significant tuition hikes, adding a heavy financial burden on students and their families. Many aspiring doctors may find themselves priced out of education, which could further exacerbate the access issue in the medical field.

How will medical students afford the rising costs?

The question on everyone’s mind is: How will medical students manage these sudden, extreme tuition hikes? The CPI inflation link means that students may face rising costs year after year, making it increasingly difficult to afford medical education. For many, medical school is already a financial struggle, and with tuition fees rising in line with inflation, more and more students may be forced to abandon their aspirations of becoming doctors.

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This policy risks turning medical education into an exclusive privilege for those who can afford the soaring fees, rather than an accessible opportunity for all qualified students.

The future of medical education: Accessibility or exclusivity?

By allowing medical colleges to raise tuition fees in line with CPI inflation, the PMDC is inadvertently creating a divide between those who can afford the costs and those who cannot. If inflation rates continue to rise, the cost of medical education could spiral out of control, making it nearly impossible for many talented students to pursue their dreams of becoming doctors. This would have grave consequences not only for individuals but for the healthcare system as a whole.

A call for rethinking the policy

It is crucial to reconsider this policy and explore alternatives that ensure medical education remains accessible to all, irrespective of their financial background. Policies must be put in place that limit fee hikes and provide financial support to students, ensuring that the future of healthcare remains in the hands of talented individuals, not just those who can afford rising tuition costs.

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