Delhi Hospitals Ordered to Heighten Emergency Preparedness Amid India-Pakistan Conflict

Red Cross Marks, Specialist Recall, and ICU Updates Among Key Measures​

New Delhi, May 10 – In response to the escalating military confrontation between India and Pakistan, the Delhi government has issued urgent directives to all government-run hospitals and health facilities, instructing them to bolster emergency preparedness and ensure uninterrupted medical services.

A key visual measure includes painting Red Cross signs on hospital rooftops, enabling aerial identification as medical zones in line with international norms. This step follows insights gathered during Operation Abhyaas, a recent state-wide emergency mock drill.

Mock Drills and Infrastructure Readiness​

Hospitals have been told to conduct fresh emergency mock drills, focusing on real-time response scenarios. Additionally, the directives mandate the stockpiling of critical medicines and consumables and the provision of operational generator sets with fuel reserves.

Hospitals must also verify the complete functionality of critical emergency infrastructure, including:

• Intensive Care Units (ICUs)
• Oxygen supply pipelines
• Ventilator systems

Staff Availability and Cyber-Security Protocols​

To strengthen trauma and emergency care, the government has cancelled leaves of key specialists, including:

• Surgeons
• Orthopaedicians
• Burn care experts

Hospitals have been instructed to update ICU bed and equipment status on the state’s ICU portal. Moreover, measures to secure hospital websites against potential cyber threats have been made mandatory.

Canteen, Coordination, and Real-Time Communication​

Hospitals must maintain adequate food stocks to keep canteens and mess services operational at all times. Heads of institutions are required to personally oversee all preparedness activities, ensuring close coordination with District Magistrates and Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs).

A real-time online spreadsheet for emergency inputs is to be created and circulated. All directives—whether via official memo or WhatsApp - must be treated with immediate priority.

Disaster Plans and Additional Measures​

The Delhi government reiterated the importance of comprehensive disaster management plans at each hospital, including:

• Availability of fire extinguishers
• Emergency infrastructure checks
• Additional action plans by Medical Superintendents or Directors

These directives aim to ensure the capital’s health infrastructure remains fully prepared to handle any eventuality arising from the ongoing cross-border hostilities.

Would you like me to include an image of a Red Cross-marked hospital rooftop or Delhi health infrastructure?