Medical Students Get No Summer Break

Despite the sweltering heat gripping Pakistan, medical and dental students will be attending classes throughout the summer with little to no vacation. As temperatures climb past 45°C 113°F in major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Multan, students find themselves struggling to cope—not just with academics, but with the extreme weather. The students can check the fresh information regarding Academic Delays and Harsh Conditions Push Medical Students to Their Limits.

The delay in starting the academic year, caused by prolonged admission procedures and administrative issues, meant that classes for the 2024–2025 session only commenced in April. To make up for lost time, universities have condensed the academic calendar, effectively eliminating the usual summer holidays. Most students may receive a brief week-long break in July, but many institutions have canceled summer vacations altogether.

Heatwave Offers No Relief as Medical Students Face Summer Without a Break

The burden is especially heavy for students in their second and third years, who are also navigating the challenges of a newly implemented MBBS curriculum. The combination of academic pressure and a relentless schedule has left many feeling mentally and physically drained. “We’re constantly being pushed to our limits, and there’s no breathing room,” shared a third-year student at King Edward Medical University.

For students living in hostels, the situation is even worse. Many report broken or absent air conditioning, making it almost impossible to stay in their rooms during the day. The unbearable indoor temperatures have driven some to in libraries or common areas to escape the heat. “We’re expected to function in a learning environment that’s damaging our health,” said a dental student from Karachi.

Frustration is growing among students, who note the disparity between their experience and that of students in other fields who are enjoying their regular summer break. Several student bodies have called on university administrations and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council PMDC to rethink the current academic schedule and take urgent steps to protect student well-being.