Bhopal: Hospitals Paint Red Crosses for Safety Amid Tensions
Hospitals in Bhopal, India, are taking precautionary measures by painting large red cross symbols on their rooftops. This action comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor to target terror bases in Pakistan.
Both government and private hospitals have been instructed to paint large red crosses with white backgrounds. These instructions were issued on May 7 and have been implemented by most hospitals. The Chief Medical and Health Officer, Dr Prabhakar Tiwari, told TOI that these instructions were issued as a safety measure by the government.
The Hamidia Hospital and J.P. Hospital have already painted red crosses on their rooftops. Dr Sumit Tandon, the Superintendent of the Hamidia Hospital, told TOI that they painted the crosses on May 7 as per the instructions. Another major government hospital, AIIMS, is yet to paint the red cross but has issued instructions to do so on Friday.
The red cross is an internationally recognized emblem that signifies medical facilities and personnel. Protected under the Geneva Conventions, it serves to shield hospitals and other medical units from attacks during armed conflicts. Sources said that the red cross is a precautionary measure taken during increasing tensions.
On Wednesday, mock drills were held in the city as a preparatory and precautionary measure. The state government issued guidelines for the drill and other precautionary measures, including marking hospital roofs with a red cross.
Published on May 10, 2025 at 06:34 PM IST
