No Summer Break for Medical Students Despite Heatwave

Medical and dental students will continue their classes without summer vacations this year despite a record-breaking heatwave across Pakistan, with temperatures soaring above 45°C (113°F) in several cities, including Lahore, Karachi, and Multan.

Due to prolonged admission processes and administrative delays, classes for the 2024-2025 session only began in April. This compressed timeline has left little room for the customary summer holidays, with most students being granted just a token 7-day break in July, if at all. In some institutions, students have been told to expect no summer vacation this year.

The impact is particularly severe for second and third-year students, who are already adjusting to the new MBBS curriculum modules introduced this year. Many students say the intensified schedule, combined with the lack of a proper break, is taking a toll on their physical and mental health. “We’re expected to perform at our best, but the system is burning us out,” said a third-year student at King Edward Medical University, who asked not to be named.

Adding to their woes, students living in hostels report that air conditioning is either unavailable or frequently non-functional. With the ongoing heatwave, hostel rooms have become nearly uninhabitable. “We’re studying medicine, but we’re being forced to live in conditions that are hazardous to our health,” said a second-year dental student in Karachi. Some students have resorted to sleeping in common areas or libraries in search of cooler spaces.

The situation has led to growing resentment, with many pointing out that only medical and dental students are being subjected to these conditions, while students in other disciplines continue to enjoy regular summer holidays. Student groups have called on university administrations and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to reconsider the academic calendar and prioritize student well-being.