CHANDIGARH, Jan. 1 —After repeated attacks on medical staff, the Punjab government has approved deploying 200 security guards across district hospitals to ensure safer working conditions for doctors and healthcare workers.
The personnel will be hired through the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO) on an outsourcing basis, initially covering January and February 2026, according to a communication from the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC).
Officials said nearly 80 incidents of violence against doctors and hospital staff have been reported over the past two years across Punjab, including in border, central and eastern districts.
“For the first two months, salaries of the security guards will be paid through the Emergency Response Fund or user charges, depending on the hospital,” a senior health official said, adding that Finance Department and Health Minister approvals have cleared the way for immediate deployment.
Under the plan, Ludhiana and Jalandhar hospitals will get 12 and 11 guards each, while smaller districts such as Barnala, Malerkotla, Mansa and SBS Nagar will receive seven guards each. From March, budgetary provisions for the 2026–27 financial year will cover the arrangement.
Doctors welcomed the move. Dr. Akhil Sarin, president of the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association, called it “a long-pending demand” and said security presence will allow doctors to work without fear. He urged the government to make the arrangement permanent and extend coverage to sub-divisional hospitals in the next phase.