Violence against doctors: Punjab finally moves to secure govt hospitals
2
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.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Pessoas com dores no joelho devem fazer isto à noite
Saude News
Saiba Mais
Undo
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 |
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
In 2025, Gujarat records 3 cadaver organ donations weekly
Ahmedabad: By the end of July, Gujarat recorded 83 cadaver organ donors, with experts retrieving 259 organs, including 154 kidneys and 67 livers, among others. The State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (SOTTO) officials said that since 2022, the state recorded an average of 12 cadaver donations for organ retrieval per month. The figure saw a slight slump to 10 donations in 2024, which picked up pace in the first seven months of 2025. As India prepares to observe National Organ Donation Day on Aug 3, Dr Pranjal Modi, director of IKDRC and coordinator for Gujarat SOTTO, said that in the past few years, there was a rise in the number of hospitals functioning as organ retrieval and transplant centres. "We now have transplant experts and infrastructure in place for the same. It has helped improve numbers," he said. On Saturday, the state received three awards from National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) for its work in the field of organ donation. You Can Also Check: Ahmedabad AQI | Weather in Ahmedabad | Bank Holidays in Ahmedabad | Public Holidays in Ahmedabad The state health department figures indicated that the state recorded 657 cadaver donations for organ retrieval in seven years, where a total of 2,039 organs were retrieved. The figure includes 1,130 kidneys, 566 livers, 147 hearts, 136 lungs, 31 hands, 19 pancreas, and 10 small intestines. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo by Taboola by Taboola Experts pointed out that while awareness is there, steps must be taken to ensure that there is awareness about the declaration of brain death at district levels and facilities to treat those with severe head injuries in instances such as road crashes. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Study shows kidney donors live healthier lives: Doctor
Panaji: Among the rare cases of a husband donating a kidney to his wife is that of a woman who was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 28 and had to undergo regular dialysis treatment. Two years later, her husband, working in the UK, came down to donate one of his kidneys to her. 'Six months after the transplant, she joined her husband in the UK and two years later, she became pregnant and had a safe delivery,' said consultant nephrologist and kidney transplant physician Dr Shital Lengade. For many women on dialysis, a kidney transplant is the only way to regain their fertility and fulfil their dreams of having children. He added that the chances of conception for a woman on dialysis are very low, and in rare cases where a woman does become pregnant, it is treated as a very high-risk pregnancy, with many finding it difficult to complete their pregnancy. That's the reason doctors counsel and motivate young women to undergo kidney transplants, Dr Lengade said. 'One year after a transplant, when the body has adapted to the organ, the woman can safely become pregnant with no additional risks,' he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Unfortunately, due to todays nuclear family structure, most transplants are spousal. In the past, first-degree relatives would opt to be kidney donors, but this is not commonly seen today. Kidney donation is very safe and one of the safest organ donations, Dr Lengade said, adding that studies have shown that people who donate their kidneys live longer and healthier lives compared to those who opt not to be donors. 'This is because of two reasons: the donor is already a healthy person, and secondly, the person donating an organ tends to take more care of themselves and naturally leans towards a healthier lifestyle,' he said, adding that donors don't have to take any extra medication but are called in once a year for routine medical checkups. Those with no matching or willing donors sign up on the state's waiting list maintained by the State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (SOTTO). There are currently 78 persons waiting for kidneys from deceased donors. The youngest is 18 years old, and the oldest is 66, with the average age being 30-35 years. Out of eight cadaver deceased organ donations since SOTTO was set up in 2019, seven have taken place in the public sector at GMC, and of these, 14 out of 16 kidneys have been transplanted at GMC. 'This is something to be proud of and is exactly the reverse of what is seen in other states, where the private sector accounts for the majority of the cases,' said joint director of SOTTO, Dr Preeti Varghese said. 'GMC is also among the few govt institutions that have a Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) lab on their own premises, which is the cornerstone of the transplant programme for both deceased and living donors,' she said, adding that reports don't have to be sent to Mumbai. Out of the eight deceased organ donation cases, only one was of Goan origin and from the elite section of the society, while the rest of the seven could be broadly categorised as daily wage workers, she said. Out of the 16 kidneys of the eight deceased donors, 14 were transplanted in Goa. The eight deceased's other organs—seven livers, four hearts, and two pairs of lungs—were sent to other states. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
Superb Hygienic Disposals Fined Rs 10,000 Per Day
Nagpur: Cracking down on poor biomedical waste management, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has imposed a daily fine of ₹10,000 on Superb Hygienic Disposals—the agency responsible for collecting medical bio-waste in the city. The penalty, made effective retrospectively from July 15, followed a surprise inspection that uncovered serious lapses in the handling of hazardous waste. On July 15, additional municipal commissioner Vasumana Pant and deputy commissioner Rajesh Bhagat conducted an unannounced visit to the Bhandewadi bio-waste treatment facility. During the inspection, officials found used saline bottles, soiled plastic, syringes, and other contaminated materials dumped openly near the incinerator, a blatant violation of environmental safety norms and the agency's contractual obligations. "We have issued a notice, and I've initiated the fine as per the contract. The penalty is ₹10,000 per day, effective from July 15, and it will continue until complete compliance is achieved," Pant said. As per the agreement signed on August 12, 2004, Superb Hygienic Disposals is mandated to collect biomedical waste from hospitals, clinics, and pathological labs across the city and ensure its scientific disposal at the Bhandewadi incinerator within 48 hours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo Clause 14 of the contract specifies that failure to meet this timeline attracts financial penalties. On July 30, deputy commissioner Bhagat issued a formal notice to the agency, demanding an explanation within 24 hours. Although the agency responded, its justification failed to satisfy NMC authorities. "They cited a machine breakdown, but the volume of accumulated biomedical waste far exceeded what could be expected from a one- or two-day disruption. That level of neglect is inexcusable," said Pant, adding that the civic body will no longer tolerate such lapses. "There was an unnecessary amount of biomedical waste lying in the open, which is dangerous and unacceptable. We're allowing a window for them to clear the backlog, but the penalty will continue until the waste is disposed of as per norms," she added. According to Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) guidelines, all biomedical waste must be incinerated within 48 hours of generation. Despite being entrusted with this task, Superb Hygienic Disposals has reportedly shown a pattern of negligence, prompting the NMC to take strict action for the first time. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
