PCMSA said that security personnel from the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO) will be deployed round the clock at district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres
The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has announced that the state government has agreed, in principle, to deploy security guards at all government hospitals across the state. The move comes in response to growing safety concerns among medical staff following recent incidents of violence at healthcare facilities.
In a statement, the PCMSA said that security personnel from the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO) will be deployed round the clock at district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres (CHCs) where medico-legal case (MLC) services are provided. The assurance was conveyed to PCMSA representatives during a recent meeting with the principal secretary for health and family welfare, Kumar Rahul, Director of Health Services Dr Hitinder Kaur, and Dr Anil Goyal, Director of the Punjab Health Systems Corporation.
PCMSA president Akhil Sarin said the agreement was reached after several rounds of discussions with state health minister Dr Balbir Singh, principal secretary Kumar Rahul, and finance minister Harpal Cheema. He noted that the decision was prompted by two violent incidents—one at the civil hospital in Dera Bassi on 11 April and another at the Gurdaspur civil hospital on 12 April.
Sarin explained that the finance department has shown its support for the proposal, which will initially cover all hospitals offering MLC services. “According to the proposal, the deployment of PESCO security guards will be ensured at all district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres where medico-legal case (MLC) services are provided,” he said.
In addition to the 24-hour security at key facilities, morning-hour security will also be arranged at other CHCs and Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) hospitals. Sarin added that the proposal is expected to be formally sent to the finance department within the next few days and may receive official clearance in two to three weeks.
The PCMSA has welcomed the government’s commitment and sees the move as a crucial step towards ensuring a safer working environment for healthcare professionals. The association has been vocal about the need for enhanced security, particularly in light of increasing reports of assaults and confrontations in hospital settings.
