Patiala, Nov. 7 -- The Punjab health department is considering a proposal to hand over several government-run civil hospitals to private entities under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, sparking concerns and opposition from healthcare workers and unions.

According to officials familiar with the matter in the health department, discussions are underway to partner with private companies for the management and operation of government civil hospitals.

Hospitals in Rajpura, Moga, Moonak and Ferozepur have already been visited by officials from the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC) and representatives from private firms to assess the feasibility of the project, officials privy to the development said.

A senior medical officer,...