Trained to heal, left high and dry

A large number, however, remain unemployed. The faculty has trained more than 69,000 students in different medical technician fields, but neither the faculty nor the health department has data showing how many of these graduates are currently employed or unemployed.

The provincial government has recently allowed public hospitals to hire technicians and other paramedical staff on a contract basis through third-party agencies to address the shortage. Dr Sabir Memon, Executive Director of the Trauma Centre, said more than 10,000 technician posts were vacant in government hospitals across the metropolis and other parts of Sindh.

He said the shortage had worsened as existing paramedical employees continued to retire while permanent recruitment remained largely suspended. Dr Khalid Bukhari, Medical Superintendent of Karachi's Civil Hospital, said recruitment of technicians and paramedical staff had been banned at the hospital for nearly 15 years.

He added that the government had now allowed the hospital to hire such staff through third-party contractors. The shortage is particularly concerning given the growing demand for trained paramedics in public and private hospitals, diagnostic centres, emergency services and other healthcare facilities.

Amjad, who completed a two-year laboratory technician course from the Sindh Medical Faculty, said he had remained jobless for three years after completing his training. "I wanted to remain associated with the medical profession but could not secure admission to MBBS.

I therefore completed a technician course," he said, adding that trained technicians previously had reasonable opportunities to find jobs in government hospitals. He said the recruitment ban had made it increasingly difficult for graduates to enter the profession despite the continuing demand for their services.

Badr Ali, who completed a two-year operation theatre technician diploma five years ago, said he subsequently secured a contractual position at a trauma centre. Several of his friends, he added, had been unable to find jobs and eventually moved abroad.

He said Pakistan needed more trained technicians and paramedics and urged young people to consider technical healthcare and IT courses as alternatives to conventional clerical careers. Rabia Baig, who completed a two-year laboratory technology course in 2022, said she had initially hoped to pursue MBBS but financial constraints prevented her from doing so.

She now works as a technologist at a private laboratory. Dr Waqar Ali Abbasi, Secretary of the Sindh Medical Faculty, said the faculty was digitalising its paramedical programmes on the instructions of Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho.

He said the faculty was providing trained manpower for the healthcare system through one-year certificate and two-year diploma programmes., the faculty currently offers 56 technician courses, including programmes in laboratory technology, operation theatre technology, radiography, blood transfusion, dental surgery assistance, dialysis, cardiopulmonary technology, physical therapy and mental health practice.

He said the faculty had so far trained more than 69,000 students, with 32 certificate and 24 diploma programmes currently being offered. Abbasi said the faculty was effectively increasing the skilled workforce available to the health system, but the lack of recruitment opportunities in government hospitals remained a major challenge.

With thousands of trained technicians entering the job market while experienced staff continue to retire, health officials and graduates believe that a sustained recruitment mechanism is needed to bridge the gap between the province's growing healthcare needs and its available paramedical workforce.