To improve safety in government health facilities, the Punjab government has decided to deploy security guards at district hospitals across the state. The move comes amid rising incidents of violence against doctors and healthcare staff, with nearly 80 cases reported over the past two years.
As per a December 31, 2025 communiqué issued by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation, approval has been granted to hire 200 security personnel through the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation on an outsourcing basis. The guards will be deployed for an initial period of January-February 2026.
During this period, salaries will be paid from the Emergency Response Fund or user charges, with budgetary provisions to be made from March 2026 onwards. While the outsourcing model has drawn criticism for offering temporary and low-paid jobs, doctors’ bodies have welcomed the step as long-awaited relief.
PCMSA president Dr Akhil Sarin termed the move a “New Year gift” for doctors and healthcare workers, while urging the government to make security arrangements permanent and expand coverage to sub-divisional hospitals in the next phase.