Panchkula: In the wake of repeated thefts, including the recent oxygen pipeline theft at the Mother and Child Hospital (MCH), the health department has decided to strengthen surveillance at Civil Hospital and MCH by installing 10 high-security pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras.The move comes after CCTV footage from existing PTZ cameras played a crucial role in identifying and arresting two accused involved in the oxygen pipe theft, prompting the hospital administration to further upgrade its security infrastructure.Officials said Civil Hospital and MCH currently have about 120 CCTV cameras installed across their campuses. The advanced PTZ cameras can capture clear images over long distances, enabling authorities to identify individuals, vehicle registration numbers and activities from afar.The additional cameras will be installed at strategic locations, including the main entrance, emergency block, OPD, Mother and Child Hospital, hospital premises and various floors to ensure comprehensive surveillance.Hospital officials said the procurement and tendering process will begin shortly. Each PTZ camera costs around Rs 1.5 lakh, and the new installations are expected to significantly improve monitoring across the sprawling hospital complex, where patient footfall has increased over the years.Following the theft incident, the hospital administration has also increased the deployment of security personnel on the premises.In the recent case, the accused allegedly stole copper medical oxygen and suction pipelines installed in the newborn ward of the MCH block. The theft caused a loss of nearly Rs 3 lakh to the govt and disrupted oxygen supply, putting the lives of newborns dependent on oxygen support and ventilators at risk.Similar thefts have been reported in the past as well, raising questions over the functioning of the dedicated police post at the hospital.
