The Punjab government has approved the deployment of 205 security guards across all 41 sub-divisional hospitals (SDHs) in the state, addressing longstanding concerns about the safety of healthcare professionals and hospital staff following repeated incidents of workplace violence. According to an order issued by the state health systems corporation on October 27, 2026, five security guards will be assigned to each hospital through a government-linked ex-servicemen organization. The personnel will initially be deployed for five months, from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

The decision follows concerns raised by a state medical services association, which reported approximately 90 to 100 incidents of violence against healthcare personnel across Punjab over the past two years. The association welcomed the approval, emphasizing that hospital security is essential for ensuring that…