More than 80 percent of doctors in Pakistan are facing severe physical and mental exhaustion, with many experiencing health complications that contribute to shorter lifespans compared to the general population, according to health experts. Sudden cardiac arrests, lifestyle-related illnesses, and extreme burnout have become increasingly common among physicians, while only one in ten remains physically active, highlighting a critical decline in overall doctor wellbeing.
Senior cardiologists and mental health specialists have raised concerns that physicians often neglect their own health while caring for others, leading to rising cases of depression, substance misuse, and, in some instances, suicide. Data presented at the nationwide academic forum Life in a Metro, organized under the Mediverse initiative by Hudson Pharma, revealed that nearly six out of ten doctors experience significant burnout, and suicide rates among physicians are nearly double those observed in the general population. Despite the severity of the situation, only about one-third of affected doctors seek professional medical or psychological support.
Addressing the forum, Dr. Rehan Omer Siddiqi, an interventional cardiologist and internal medicine specialist, emphasized that physician burnout has quietly reached crisis levels across Pakistan. He pointed to long working hours, chronic sleep deprivation, poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, and constant psychological pressure as key factors driving doctors toward early heart disease, diabetes, depression, and other serious health issues. Experts warn that without systemic reforms to improve working conditions, provide mental health support, and promote healthier lifestyles for doctors, the health crisis among Pakistan’s medical professionals is likely to intensify, threatening both the wellbeing of physicians and the quality of healthcare delivery nationwide.
