Patiala, Oct. 28 -- The Punjab health department has approved the deployment of 205 security guards at all 41 sub-divisional hospitals (SDHs) across the state, addressing a long-pending demand for enhanced security at government healthcare facilities following repeated incidents of violence and intimidation against medical personnel.

According to an order issued by the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) on October 27, five security guards will be deployed at each SDH through the Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation (PESCO). The personnel will initially be engaged for five months, from November 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027.

Welcoming the decision, the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) said around 90 to 100 incidents of vi...