Violence against doctors: Punjab finally moves to secure govt hospitals
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Chandigarh: After prolonged inaction and mounting pressure from the medical fraternity, Punjab govt has finally begun implementing long-promised security measures to protect healthcare workers.
The decision comes in the wake of a disturbing surge in violence against doctors and medical staff at govt hospitals — a crisis that eroded morale and endangered lives on the frontlines of public healthcare.
Despite repeated assurances over the past year, frontline medical professionals continued to face physical assaults and verbal abuse, particularly during night shifts, in govt-run hospitals. The combination of insufficient security, staffing shortages, and rising patient aggression left doctors and paramedics operating in a climate of fear.
According to data compiled by the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), over 50 cases of violence against doctors were reported from govt hospitals across Punjab in the past year. Amritsar emerged as the worst-hit district with six such incidents, followed by Hoshiarpur and Pathankot (five each), Moga (four), and Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr, Muktsar, Ludhiana, and Patiala (three each). Several other districts, including Mohali, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Bathinda and Barnala, also reported multiple cases.
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PCMSA, which persistently advocated for urgent intervention, pushed the govt to act. Following its sustained campaign, including a strike last year, the govt committed to deploying round-the-clock security personnel at all hospitals handling medicolegal cases by Sept 9, 2024. However, the deadline lapsed without implementation.
Under renewed pressure, the health department has now directed all civil surgeons to furnish detailed reports by Jun 9 on incidents of violence from the past two years, as well as corresponding police actions taken.
The move is part of groundwork to operationalise the Punjab Protection of Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2008, which provides a legal framework to safeguard healthcare workers against assaults and vandalism.
A govt proposal to deploy CCTV cameras and trained security personnel at public health facilities is currently under active consideration.
PCMSA had earlier suggested a cost-effective model, recommending outsourced guards at DC wage rates (around Rs 13,500 per month), scaled according to hospital size — 20 guards for district hospitals, six for sub-divisional hospitals, and four for community health centres offering 24x7 medicolegal services.
Despite several meetings with govt officials, including a cabinet sub-committee headed by finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, implementation was repeatedly delayed.
It was only during a follow-up meeting on April 14, 2025 — involving health minister Dr Balbir Singh, principal health secretary Kumar Rahul, and Cheema — that the finance department reportedly agreed to deploy guards through PESCO, an organisation comprising ex-servicemen.
Dr Akhil Sarin, president of PCMSA, welcomed the step, but cautioned that urgency is paramount. "A disturbing pattern of violence emerged against doctors and medical staff at govt facilities.
We can no longer afford delays. The state must ensure immediate implementation of security arrangements," he said.
He said the spotlight is now on the govt to translate its promises into concrete protection measures — before another incident adds to the growing list of victims.
Recent Incidents of Violence
A series of disturbing incidents of violence were reported at civil hospitals in Gurdaspur, Derabassi, and Hoshiarpur during April, raising serious concerns about the safety of healthcare staff and patients.
On April 12, an altercation erupted at Gurdaspur civil hospital when two groups brought their fight into the emergency ward. The clash led to significant property damage and forced both doctors and patients to flee for safety.
Just a day before, Derabassi civil hospital witnessed a similar incident. A clash between two groups led to chaos, with reports of vandalism and hospital staff locking themselves inside rooms to avoid harm. Eleven individuals were said to have been injured in the incident. MSID:: 121693014 413 |
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