PMDC takes notice of student’s death at Fatima Jinnah Medical University, advises varsities to hire mental health professionals
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) on Thursday took notice of the alleged death by suicide of a medical student from Lahore’s Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) and sought a report.
Moreover, observing the lack of strengthened student support systems, the council also advised all medical and dental colleges to hire qualified counsellors/psychologists to provide timely guidance, and mental and physical health support to students in distress.
On Tuesday night, a 22-year-old female student allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the fourth floor of a hostel at FJMU. The student in question was a resident of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and was living in the varsity’s government hostel in Lahore.
On Thursday, a letter from the PMDC registrar to the FJMU principal, available with Dawn, stated that in light of the seriousness of the incident and its impact on the student community, the council was directing the college to share a factual account of the incident so that the medical body may remain informed and, if necessary, extend any appropriate support or guidance.
The PMDC directed the principal to share details within seven days; these included the date, time, and brief circumstances of the incident as per institutional records; details of any inquiry or fact-finding committee constituted, including its composition and terms of reference; any initial findings and/or the expected timeline for completion of the committee’s report; steps already taken or planned to strengthen student mental health support and counselling services; and safety measures in the hostel following the unfortunate event.
The letter stated that medical and dental students represented the brightest and most valuable segment of the nation’s future healthcare workforce.
“Incidents of this nature are deeply alarming and highlight the urgent need to strengthen student support systems in medical and dental institutions. The PMDC focuses on protecting and safeguarding the physical and mental well-being of students and ensuring that educational environments remain supportive, safe, and responsive to student needs,” it stated.
Moreover, the PMDC advised all medical and dental colleges to hire qualified counsellors/psychologists to provide timely guidance and mental and physical health support to students in distress. It also advised universities to establish effective student support mechanisms, including confidential counselling services and maintain vigilant monitoring of student wellbeing, with special attention to signs of psychological stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout.
It reiterated that proactive mental health support and timely counselling could play a critical role in preventing such incidents and in protecting the precious lives and future of students.
In January, a student at a private university in Lahore had attempted suicide by jumping from the second floor. A month earlier, a male student at the same university had also ended his life by jumping from the varsity’s fourth floor.
