Amid war fears, J&K to paint cross sign on hospitals

With war clouds looming over Jammu and Kashmir, the government is all set to establish emergency committees to meet any eventuality.

Painting the cross sign atop healthcare establishments has begun in the region. A senior official said the exercise of painting rooftops with cross sign is among the basic drills ahead of any apprehended war as it prevents airstrikes on such edifices.

Sources said the decision was taken after the state government received a formal communiqué from New Delhi to be prepared to face any eventuality in case of military aggression.

While each of the 22 districts in the state will have to set up an emergency committee to meet any eventuality and to correspond with the quarters  concerned, main emphasis will be on the preparedness of the hospitals.

Sources said that a high-level meeting, including Chief Secretary B R Sharma, Director General of Police K Rajendra  and a representative of the 15-Corp of Army, will be held.

Health authorities have already initiated steps in this regard with Director of Health Services Kashmir Dr Saleem Ur Rehman by putting hospitals in the frontier areas like Karnah and Uri on high alert. The department has also issued a Standard operation Procedure (SoP) to the health institutions for operating during wars or war-like situations.

Officials said that all the hospitals and other healthcare facilities, including nursing homes and dispensaries, are being asked to paint a cross on their rooftops.

Similar norms have to be adhered for animal welfare centres as well. A top official said: “Healthcare facilities will bear a red cross encircled in white background, whereas psychiatric hospitals will have a white cross. Veterinary facilities will have to paint a blue cross on white background.” 

Private hospitals and nursing homes will also have to get the rooftops painted.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare asked the state’s Health Department to be prepared for war in view of  the escalating tension between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control.