Paint all hospital roofs with Red Cross symbol: Delhi Govt issues directives for nursing homes, private hospitals

New Delhi: In the wake of ongoing cross-border tensions, all the private hospitals and nursing homes in the national capital have been directed to paint their hospital roofs with the Red Cross Symbol. The order, issued by the Directorate General of Health Service (Nursing Home Cell) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, mandates immediate compliance from all registered nursing homes and private hospitals in the region. 

All the private hospitals and nursing homes have been further ordered to check the position of their stock and ensure the availability of specialists in their nursing homes in response to the current geo-political situation.

The DGHS order referred to Clause 14 of the schedule appended with Rule 14 of Delhi Nursing Homes Registration (Amendment) Rules 2011, which states:-

14. Co-operation at the time of natural calamity or disaster and treatment of injured/serious patients -

14.1 In the event of any natural calamity including outbreak and epidemics or disaster, the owner or the keeper of every nursing home shall, on being directed by the supervising authority in writing co-operate and provide such reasonable assistance and medical aid as may be considered essential by the supervising authority at the time of natural calamity including outbreaks and epidemics or disastrous situation.

14.2 The nursing home shall not refuse treatment to the injured/serious patients brought to them due to any reason, whatsoever.

In view of the above, the DGHS has issued the following directives for the hospitals and nursing homes:

In the present scenario, the Competent Authority has directed that the following directions be issued for immediate compliance:

1. A list, along with the contact number of all surgeons, anaesthetists, orthopaedicians, burn specialists to be kept ready. •
2. Also number of ICU beds, operational ventilators, oxygen supply status. 
3. To paint the hospital's roof with the Red Cross symbol.
4. All hospitals to check the readiness of their generator sets and keep it ready for use at any time.

"Compliance of the above-mentioned directions is mandatory due to the urgency of the situation and disaster preparedness. Signed and scanned copy of compliance report should be sent to the undersigned, latest by 11.00 AM on 11.05.2025," the DGHS further directed.

The order is attached below: