LAHORE: The Punjab Department of Specialized Health Care and Medical Education has introduced a new summer vacation policy for medical teaching faculty, effective from August 1, 2025, to ensure uninterrupted patient care in teaching hospitals across the province.
According to the official notification, the policy seeks to balance the academic responsibilities of faculty with their clinical duties. While faculty will be allowed summer vacations, the leave will be restricted to three weeks and deducted from their earned leave, as it is treated as a facility rather than an entitlement.
The policy applies to Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Senior Registrars, and Demonstrators serving in all public medical colleges and affiliated hospitals. To maintain essential healthcare services, at least 67% of clinical faculty and 50% of basic sciences faculty must remain on duty during the vacation period.
Each institution is required to establish a Leave Management Committee comprising the Principal, CEO/COO/MD, Medical Superintendent, and Senior Head of Department to prepare and finalize vacation rosters. These rosters must be submitted to the department by April 30 each year.
Officials underscored that the step is aimed at preventing disruptions in patient treatment while also accommodating the academic needs of faculty members.
