Punjab Govt to deploy 200 security staff in district hospitals
Punjab Approves Security Guard Deployment to Tackle Hospital Violence
Chandigarh: In response to growing concerns about the safety of healthcare workers, the Punjab government will start 2026 by deploying 200 security guards across hospitals in 23 districts to safeguard doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff.
The decision comes after repeated complaints of physical assaults, verbal abuse, and intimidation of medical personnel, particularly during night shifts. The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) reported around 60 cases of violence against doctors in state-run hospitals over the past year. Healthcare bodies have warned that staff shortages, heavy patient loads, and inadequate security have created unsafe working conditions.
According to a communication issued by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC), the approval was obtained from the finance department and the Health and Family Welfare Minister to hire 200 security guards through the outsourcing agency- Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO). The guards will be deployed in district hospitals for an initial period covering January and February 2026.
The communication also spells out a district-wise deployment plan, according to which Ludhiana will receive the highest number of guards (12). Amritsar, Bathinda, Jalandhar and Patiala will be provided 11 guards each. Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Moga, Muktsar, Sangrur, and Mohali will each receive nine guards. District hospitals in Barnala, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Malerkotla, Mansa, Pathankot, Ropar, Nawanshahr and Tarn Taran were allotted 7 security guards each, taking the total deployment to 200 guards across 23 district hospitals, reports TOI.
Salaries will be paid from ESER charges or the Emergency Response Fund (ERF) for the two months. Exceptions include Bathinda, Muktsar, MKH Patiala, and Nawanshahr, where payments will come from user charges. For payments beyond February 2026, the joint chief financial advisor of the Directorate of Health Services has been instructed to ensure adequate budget provision in the financial year 2026–27.
Medical associations welcomed the decision but emphasized that permanent security arrangements and strict enforcement of laws protecting healthcare workers are critical.
According to news reports by Hindustan Times, Officials said the deployment of these security guards is aimed at immediate risk mitigation, especially in sensitive areas within the hospital premises, such as emergency wards and labour rooms. “The situation is more severe in the emergency ward of the civil hospital, which deals with a large number of medico-legal cases every day, catering to patients who suffer injuries during fights and brawls. In many such cases, the people accompanying the injured patients also get involved in heated arguments or even violent incidents within the hospital premises.
Speaking to TOI, Dr Akhil Sarin, president of the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), called the step a much-needed relief to doctors and healthcare staff working under constant fear. ''For long, we have been raising concerns about repeated incidents of violence in govt hospitals, especially during night shifts. The deployment of security guards is a necessary first step to restore a sense of safety," he said.
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