In a significant step to enhance security and patient safety in healthcare facilities, the Punjab government has mandated the integration of CCTV surveillance systems in public hospitals with the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA).
All security cameras installed in the Emergency Departments and Outpatient Departments (OPDs) of hospitals under the administrative control of the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department will now be mandatorily linked to the PSCA’s Integrated Command, Control and Communication Network.
This initiative builds on PSCA’s established framework, which already operates thousands of high-definition cameras across major cities such as Lahore to support real-time surveillance, rapid emergency response and evidence gathering for law enforcement.
A formal directive has been issued by the department instructing vice-chancellors of medical universities, chancellors, deans, managing directors, heads of institutions and medical superintendents of teaching hospitals, medical colleges, specialized institutions, nursing schools and allied health facilities to ensure full compliance.
Hospitals have been asked to provide full cooperation and facilities to PSCA teams from Lahore for the integration process.
Where the existing CCTV infrastructure is inadequate, provision has been made for the installation of additional cameras to achieve comprehensive coverage.
The move is meant to curb violence against healthcare workers, deter theft or misuse of medical assets and strengthen response mechanisms in high-traffic areas such as emergency departments and OPDs.
Officials said the decision fits into the Punjab government’s broader Safe Cities project, which has steadily expanded the use of advanced surveillance technology to strengthen public safety and emergency preparedness.
Authorities describe the initiative as a proactive step to improve security in public health institutions, amid growing concerns over security at state-run hospitals.
Implementation is expected to begin immediately, with PSCA technical teams coordinating closely with hospital administrations to complete the integration process.
