Punjab unveils summer vacation policy for medical teaching faculty

LAHORE: The Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education in Punjab has issued a new summer vacation policy for teaching faculty.

According to an official notification, the new policy will come into effect from August 1, 2025. The department stressed that public health is a continuous and essential service, and tertiary care hospitals attached to medical colleges serve as important centers for the treatment and care of patients.

The notification highlighted the need to maintain a balance between the academic responsibilities of the faculty and their medical duties. It noted that when academic leave is allowed, it should not disrupt the healthcare delivery system.

Leave is considered a facility, not a privilege. Under the policy, summer vacation will be granted for only three weeks and will be deducted from the earned leave of the faculty.

This policy applies to Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Senior Registrars and Demonstrators of all Government Medical Colleges and affiliated teaching hospitals across Punjab.

During the vacation rotation, 67% of the clinical faculty and 50% of the basic science faculty should remain on duty to maintain patient services. Each institution is required to constitute a Leave Management Committee, headed by the Principal, CEO/COO/MD, Medical Superintendent, and Senior Heads of the Department.

These committees should submit the final leave roster to the department by April 30 of each year.