Punjab government has issued a directive aimed at strengthening oversight of private healthcare facilities across the province, instructing that comprehensive CCTV surveillance be installed in all private hospitals. Acting on this policy, Punjab Healthcare Commission has formally communicated to hospital administrations that cameras must be placed in key areas of their premises to ensure better monitoring and accountability within the healthcare sector.
The official instructions specify that surveillance coverage must include emergency rooms, intensive care units, children’s nurseries, entrances, exits, and waiting areas. Hospitals have been told to maintain proper storage of recorded video footage for a minimum period of 40 days. This requirement is intended to ensure that records are available if needed for investigations or legal procedures, while also ensuring that data is managed responsibly in compliance with healthcare oversight guidelines.
In clarifying its stance, Punjab Healthcare Commission noted that CCTV footage will only be released for legal and regulatory purposes. Hospitals must adopt safeguards to ensure that patient confidentiality and privacy rights are not compromised during the installation and use of surveillance systems. The Commission emphasized that while security and accountability are priorities, hospitals remain responsible for balancing surveillance with ethical considerations of privacy in sensitive medical environments.
This decision represents a wider push to digitize and enhance regulatory monitoring in healthcare institutions across Punjab. By enforcing CCTV deployment, provincial authorities aim to strengthen trust in hospital management practices, improve patient safety, and ensure accountability in cases where disputes or legal matters arise. Hospitals are now tasked with not only installing the required systems but also putting in place mechanisms to protect patient data while adhering to provincial compliance standards.
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