Punjab Orders CCTV Surveillance in All Private Hospitals

Quick Summary

Punjab CCTV surveillance directive: A new law requires private hospitals to install CCTV cameras and maintain footage for public safety.

• New directive: The Punjab Healthcare Commission (PHC) has ordered every private hospital in Punjab to install closed‑circuit television (CCTV) cameras across their premises.
• Comprehensive coverage: Cameras must cover emergency rooms, intensive care units, children’s nurseries, entrances, exits and waiting areas.
• Footage retention: Hospitals must store recordings for at least 40 days; the footage will only be released for legal purposes.
• Patient privacy: The PHC stresses that hospitals must protect patient privacy during installation and use of surveillance equipment.

CCTV Installation Directive

To improve oversight of healthcare facilities, the Punjab Healthcare Commission recently instructed all private hospitals across the province to install CCTV cameras. The directive covers hospitals of every size and specifies that surveillance must be active in critical areas such as emergency rooms, intensive care units (ICUs), children’s nurseries and neonatal units, as well as entrances, exits and waiting areas.

The PHC believes that comprehensive surveillance will help deter malpractice, improve staff accountability and enhance patient safety. Hospitals must ensure that cameras are positioned to monitor activity without intruding on sensitive treatment areas. The video feed may also assist in resolving disputes or investigating incidents.

Storage and Privacy

Under the new guidelines, private hospitals are required to store CCTV footage for a minimum of 40 days. This archive must be secured and can only be accessed for legal investigations or to comply with court orders. Releasing footage for any other purpose is prohibited.

The PHC cautions healthcare providers to ensure that surveillance does not violate patients’ rights. Hospitals must clearly inform patients that CCTV cameras are in operation and take steps to protect personal data. During installation, technical teams should avoid capturing intimate patient procedures or audio conversations to maintain confidentiality.

Implementation and Enforcement

While the directive does not specify an exact deadline, hospital administrators are expected to begin installing cameras immediately. The PHC plans to conduct random inspections to ensure compliance and may impose penalties on facilities that fail to meet the requirements.

By mandating CCTV surveillance, the Punjab government hopes to foster a safer and more transparent healthcare environment. Patients and their families are encouraged to report any concerns about privacy or misuse of footage to the PHC’s helpline.

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Beyond the immediate safety benefits, the CCTV initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize healthcare oversight across Punjab. Officials believe that creating an auditable digital record can help identify patterns of malpractice, reduce disputes between patients and staff, and provide evidence when investigating incidents. Integrating surveillance data with hospital management systems can also inform training programs for frontline workers and encourage continuous improvement.

The PHC further explains that only authorized personnel will have access to stored footage, and all facilities must maintain strict access logs. Facilities are also encouraged to display signage notifying visitors about CCTV monitoring so that everyone understands the scope and purpose of surveillance. By working transparently with patients and staff, healthcare providers can ensure the technology builds trust rather than erodes it.

In the long run, these measures are expected to feed into national standards for healthcare safety, inspiring other provinces to adopt similar surveillance programmes. Hospitals that fail to comply may face penalties; however, the government has signaled that support and training will be available to help facilities upgrade their infrastructure. Community feedback will play a vital role in refining the guidelines and ensuring they strike the right balance between safety and privacy.