PMDC imposes Rs 20m fine on FJMU over student death in hostel

What happened

The Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has imposed a fine of Rs 20 million on Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) following the death of a student, Fariha Ibrahim, in a university hostel in Lahore [1, 2, 3]. The PMDC Disciplinary Committee reached this decision after reviewing the facts of the case [1]. According to committee documents, the decision was formally communicated to the university after receiving approval from the PMDC Council [1, 2, 3].

The incident occurred in February this year [2]. Fariha Ibrahim, a 22-year-old final-year student originally from Kashmir, allegedly jumped from the third floor or the roof of the university hostel [1, 2]. Police stated that she sustained severe head injuries and passed away due to excessive blood loss after being rushed to the hospital [1, 2]. Medical officials confirmed the cause of death was critical head trauma [1]. At the time of the incident, the student was undergoing final-year examinations; she had completed one paper, and another was scheduled for February 19 [2]. Police reported that preliminary findings indicated the student had allegedly been experiencing severe depression for approximately six months [2].

In response to the incident, the PMDC has issued several directives to FJMU [1, 2, 3]:

• Implement adequate measures for the protection and welfare of students [1].
• Ensure effective oversight and close monitoring of students’ physical and mental health [1, 2].
• Establish a system for student medical health check-ups and accountability [3].
• Introduce mentorship, counseling, and harassment prevention programs for female students [1, 2, 3].

FJMU has filed a review petition with the PMDC to challenge the Rs 20 million penalty [1, 2, 3].

Who is affected

• Fatima Jinnah Medical University (FJMU) in Lahore, which faces a Rs 20 million fine and new regulatory requirements [1, 2].
• Female students at FJMU, who are the intended recipients of new mentorship, counseling, and anti-harassment programs [1, 2, 3].
• The deceased student, 22-year-old Fariha Ibrahim [1, 2].