Guards to be deployed in govt hospitals

The government has decided to deploy security guards in government hospitals that provide round-the-clock medical services. The initiative seeks to curb the rising incidents of violence and assault against medical personnel in public healthcare institutions across the state.

Under the pilot project, 200 security guards will be stationed across 23 district hospitals. The deployment will be carried out through the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO). If the project proves successful, the state plans to extend the initiative to other hospitals as well.

According to official sources, the recruitment process will be completed by the end of October. The guards will be appointed on an outsourced basis until March 31, 2026, and the recruitment will follow the state’s reservation policy. Their salaries will be paid under the schemes run by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation.

Doctors across Punjab have welcomed the government’s decision, calling it a much-needed step to ensure a safer and more secure work environment. Members of the PCMS Association, representing government doctors, said the move will help create a sense of confidence among hospital staff, especially those working in emergency and critical care departments.

The decision comes amid growing concern over attacks on doctors in government hospitals. Data from the past two years reveals nearly 80 cases of violence against medical professionals, not only in border districts but also in other regions, including Kapurthala, where multiple incidents have been reported. Doctors have also raised safety concerns over the lack of proper exit gates in some hospitals, making it difficult for staff to escape during violent situations.

The deployment plan includes the following allocation of guards across district hospitals -- Amritsar (11), Barnala (7), Bathinda (11), Faridkot (7), Fatehgarh Sahib (7), Fazilka (9), Ferozepur (9), Gurdaspur (9), Hoshiarpur (9), Jalandhar (11), Kapurthala (9), Ludhiana (12), Malerkotla (7), Mansa (7), Moga (9), Muktsar Sahib (9), Pathankot (7), MKH Patiala (11), Ropar (7), Sangrur (9), Mohali (9), SBS Nagar (7), and Tarn Taran (7).

The government hopes that this security initiative will not only reduce violence in hospitals, but also encourage a more respectful and secure environment for medical professionals dedicated to public service.