The number of students registering for the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has fallen from 46,232 in 2022 to 38,000 in 2026, marking a decline of nearly 18%.
The drop reflects changing career preferences among students, driven by the rising cost of medical education, the lengthy duration of undergraduate and postgraduate training, changing licensing and specialization requirements, and evolving employment opportunities.
Khyber Medical University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ziaul Haq said the latest figures reflect a shift in how students evaluate careers in healthcare.
He said the decline should not be seen simply as a loss of interest in medical and dental education. Instead, it reflects more informed career planning, greater awareness of different professional opportunities, and changing socioeconomic conditions.
According to Prof. Haq, students are now considering a wider range of career options alongside traditional MBBS and BDS programs.
Fields such as artificial intelligence, data science, biotechnology, genomics, public health, and allied health sciences are becoming increasingly attractive because they offer promising career opportunities.
He added that the high cost of medical education and the extended period required to complete undergraduate and postgraduate training are also influencing students’ decisions.
Growing global demand for professionals with interdisciplinary skills and changes in the employment market have further encouraged students to explore alternative career paths.
MDCAT data shows that the number of applicants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa increased from 13,464 in 2010 to 46,232 in 2022, reflecting strong demand for medical education during that period.
However, registrations later declined to 38,000 in 2026.
Prof. Haq also noted that modern healthcare is no longer limited to doctors and dentists.
Healthcare systems now depend on multidisciplinary teams that include nurses, public health experts, medical laboratory scientists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, nutritionists, psychologists, health informatics specialists, and biomedical researchers.
He said these professionals play an important role in delivering safe, effective, and patient-centered healthcare.
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