The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has instructed all its state branches to change the 'Red Cross' emblem used by the member doctors and use a fresh emblem which carries the 'pole and the snakes' symbol. The instruction has come in the wake of the claims made by the Red Cross Society on the rights over the 'red cross' symbol. RCS has been informing all the professional and governmental bodies in the medical field that 'red cross symbol' is meant for the exclusive use of military medical units and the Red Cross Movement across the world.

Responding to the IMA instruction, Delhi Medical Association (DMA) has started distributing stickers of the new emblem to its members. Though all the members of DMA are likely to be switching over to the use of new symbol, the changes it would really make is difficult to predict as there are a good number of doctors who are not enrolled with DMA. Further, it will have no impact on the unqualified medical practitioners who are also having a major presence here.

According to Dr Anil Bansal, president elect, Delhi Medical Association, there has to be strict enforcement of the existing law if there has to be any major change. "Once you begin charging the persons who are misusing the symbol, things will change very fast. Otherwise it is very difficult to put an end to the misuse of the Red Cross symbol," he said. He wanted the Health Ministry to give strict directives to stop all government establishments from using the Red Cross symbol. Meanwhile DCGI has issued circulars to all state drugs control departments asking the pharmacists and chemists to stop the misuse of the symbol and stick on to their own symbols.

The Centre had passed a Geneva Convention Act in 1960, which prohibits the use of Red Cross symbol by medical practitioners in the country. India is also a signatory to the Geneva Convention 1949, the fourth chapter of which calls for an exclusive use of the symbol for the above-mentioned categories. According to Indian laws, misuse of the symbol can invite a fine of Rs. 500, though there is no strict implementing agency for the same.