Punjab approves 205 security guards for 41 sub-divisional hospitals after attacks on doctors

The Punjab government has approved the deployment of 205 security guards across 41 sub-divisional hospitals (SDHs), responding to a long-standing demand for better protection of doctors and other healthcare workers following repeated incidents of violence at government medical facilities.

Under an order issued by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) on October 27, five guards will be deployed at each hospital through the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO). The initial engagement will run for five months, from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

Kharar assault renews calls for hospital security

The decision comes days after a woman medical officer at the sub-divisional hospital in Kharar was allegedly assaulted by a patient while on duty on October 24. The accused allegedly attacked the doctor, assaulted other staff members and damaged hospital property. He was subsequently arrested.

The incident prompted renewed demands from the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) for security arrangements at government hospitals. The association had previously sought the deployment of 287 guards at sub-divisional hospitals and called for the second phase of the state's security framework to be implemented by November 12.

Welcoming the government's latest approval, PCMSA president Dr Akhil Sarin said between 90 and 100 incidents of violence against healthcare personnel had been reported across Punjab over the past two years.

“It is unfortunate that it took repeated incidents of violence against doctors and healthcare staff for the government to act on a demand that had been pending for a long time. Security at hospitals is not a luxury but a basic requirement to ensure that doctors, particularly women medical officers working night shifts, can discharge their duties without fear,” Sarin said.

He urged the authorities to deploy the guards without delay and ensure that the arrangement continued beyond the initial five-month period.

Funding arrangements for the deployment

The PHSC order specifies separate funding arrangements for the 41 hospitals. Salaries for guards at 34 sub-divisional hospitals will be paid through the Emergency Response Fund (ERF), with the corporation providing the necessary funds to the respective district health authorities.

The remaining seven hospitals, located in Tappa, Talwandi Sabo, Zira, Malout, Nabha, Rajpura and Samana, will meet the expenditure from their own user charges.

The director of health services has also been instructed to make adequate budgetary provisions for the financial year 2027-28 to ensure that salary payments can continue from April 2027 onwards.

Security framework to cover sub-divisional hospitals

The latest approval extends the state's hospital security arrangements to sub-divisional facilities, building on the deployment of 200 security guards at district hospitals last year.

The move addresses concerns raised by medical professionals over the safety of healthcare workers, particularly those attending to patients during night shifts. The PCMSA has maintained that doctors and other staff must be able to perform their duties without fear of assault or intimidation.

However, the newly approved deployment is initially limited to five months, with the authorities expected to make budgetary provisions for the subsequent financial year to facilitate continued payments.