Punjab to deploy 205 security guards at 41 Sub-Divisional Hospitals from November 1

Chandigarh: The Punjab government has initiated measures to strengthen security at 41 sub-divisional hospitals across the state, with 205 security personnel scheduled to be deployed from November 1, 2026, amid growing concerns over violence against doctors and other healthcare workers. 

The move comes against the backdrop of repeated complaints of physical assaults, verbal abuse and intimidation of medical staff, particularly during night shifts, when inadequate security arrangements have raised concerns about the safety of healthcare professionals.

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Medical Dialogues had previously reported that an on-duty woman medical officer was allegedly assaulted by a patient at a government sub-divisional hospital in Kharar, Punjab. The patient allegedly grabbed her by the hair, pinned her to the ground and tore her clothes before damaging hospital property. The accused was arrested after hospital staff managed to overpower him following nearly an hour of disruption on Saturday night.

The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has reported around 80 incidents of violence against doctors in government hospitals over the past two years. Doctors' organisations have repeatedly warned that inadequate security, staff shortages and heavy patient loads are contributing to an unsafe working environment in public healthcare facilities. 

According to a communication issued by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) on Tuesday, the health minister has approved hiring 205 security personnel for 41 sub-divisional hospitals for five months, from Nov 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

The communication states that, following advice from the finance department to hire security guards using the hospitals’ own resources, the personnel will be engaged through the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO), the designated outsourcing agency, reports TOI.

The salaries of the security personnel will be paid through allocations from the Emergency Response Fund (ERF), routed through the PHSC head office on the basis of requirements submitted by the offices of the district medical commissioners.

However, seven hospitals — SDH Tappa, SDH Talwandi Sabo, SDH Zira, SDH Malout, SDH Nabha, SDH Rajpura and SDH Samana — will meet the salary expenses from their respective user charges.

The Joint Controller of Finance and Accounts of the Directorate of Health Services, Punjab, has also been directed to make adequate budgetary provisions for the 2027-28 financial year to ensure uninterrupted salary payments from April 1, 2027, onwards.

Speaking to TOI, Dr Akhil Sarin, PCMSA president, described the move as much-needed relief for doctors and healthcare staff working amid concerns over their safety. He said better security arrangements could also help check the rising attrition of doctors from govt service. “For long, we have been raising concerns about repeated incidents of violence in government hospitals, especially during night shifts. The deployment of security guards is a necessary first step towards restoring a sense of safety among healthcare workers,” he said.

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