Ludhiana, April 1 -- A recent assessment by the health department has revealed that it lacks around 1,400 security guards to ensure safety in government hospitals across the state.

According to the assessment, there is a requirement of 1,520 security guards and at present there are 114 guards available.

The assessment follows several protests by doctors represented by the Punjab Civil Medical Service Association (PCMSA) demanding security for the medical staff posted at government hospitals, who are left vulnerable in case of vandalism and violent scuffles between opposing parties visiting the facilities to get medico-legal reports (MLRs), or face the anger of the attendants of patients in case of any eventuality.

According to the data...