Lahore: The Punjab Medical Faculty (PMF) has introduced two-year diploma programmes in seven new allied health fields, expanding opportunities for students seeking professional qualifications in the healthcare sector. The new programmes are aimed at preparing trained allied health professionals to support doctors and other healthcare workers in hospitals and medical facilities.
The move is part of efforts to strengthen Punjab’s allied health workforce and respond to the growing demand for trained technical staff in healthcare institutions. Allied health professionals play an important role in areas such as diagnostics, emergency care, laboratory services, imaging, rehabilitation and other specialised medical services.
According to the PMF’s official scheme of studies, its two-year programmes are structured around a common core course along with specialised training in individual technologies. The faculty states that the two-year diploma structure reflects changes in healthcare needs, advances in medical and allied technologies and evolving requirements for healthcare services.
The new programmes are expected to provide students with practical and technical skills that can be used in hospitals, diagnostic centres and other healthcare settings. By increasing the number of trained allied health workers, the initiative could also help reduce pressure on doctors and improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery.
The PMF already offers programmes in several allied health disciplines, including Medical Laboratory Technician, Radiography and Imaging Technician, Operation Theater Technician, Physiotherapy Technician, Ophthalmic Technician, Cardiac Technician and Dental Hygienist. Its scheme also includes fields such as Public Health Technician, Renal Dialysis Technician, Anaesthesia Technician, Endoscopy Technician and Central Sterilization System Department Technician.
The introduction of additional two-year diplomas is particularly significant for students who want to enter the healthcare sector without pursuing a lengthy medical degree. Such programmes can provide a more focused route into technical healthcare careers while meeting the staffing requirements of medical institutions.
The initiative also comes as Punjab continues to introduce reforms aimed at improving healthcare services and professional training. Earlier, the provincial government launched programmes to strengthen primary healthcare and provide additional training opportunities for medical professionals.
Officials and education authorities are increasingly focusing on specialised training because modern healthcare depends on a wide range of professionals beyond doctors and nurses. Laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging, operation theatres, rehabilitation and other services require properly trained technical staff.
The new diploma courses could therefore create additional educational and employment opportunities for young people while helping healthcare institutions build a stronger technical workforce.
Students interested in these programmes should check the Punjab Medical Faculty’s official admission notices and eligibility requirements before applying, as specific academic qualifications and admission conditions can vary by programme.
Overall, the launch of the new two-year medical diploma programmes represents another step toward expanding allied health education in Punjab and developing a workforce capable of supporting the province’s growing healthcare needs.
