REGIONAL INSTITUTE OF PARAMEDICAL & NURSING SCIENCES,
AIZAWL, MIZORAM
2nd YEAR M.Sc.NURSING
COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING SPECIALITY
VISIT REPORT
PLACE OF VISIT : INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY, NEW DELHI
DATE & TIME OF VISIT :22/04/24 @ 11:00AM – 1:30PM
REPORTS PREPARED BY : 2nd YEAR M.Sc.NURSING
INTRODUCTION
On the 20th of April 2024, students of 2nd Year M.sc.Nursing, Community Health Nursing
speciality, College of Nursing RIPANS, visited Indian Red Cross Society, National
Headquarters, New Delhi as a part of our curriculum requirements.
Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) was formed in 1920 by an Act of Parliament. In 1962, the then
Prime Minister Late Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru laid foundation of Red Cross Bhawan, Golf Links,
New Delhi-110003. It was inaugurated in 1963 by then President of India late Dr. Sarvepalli
Radhakrishnan. The act was last amended in 1992 and of rules were formed in 1994. It is a
voluntary humanitarian statutory organization having a network of over 1200 branches
throughout the country, providing relief in times of disasters/emergencies and promotes health &
care of the vulnerable people and communities. It is a leading member of the largest independent
humanitarian organization in the world, the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement.
As per schedule, we reached the headquarter at 11:00 AM where Mrs. Rani Vibhushita,
communicator, eagerly waited for our arrival. We had an interactive session in the conference
room starting with a round of introduction and presentation by the same. We were indeed
fortunate to have the opportunity to meet Mr. Neel Kamal Singh, Deputy Secretary, Indian Red
Cross after the session.
OBJECTIVES
Through the field visits, the students will be able to:
Gather geographical details of the institution/organization
Describe the location and physical set up
Describe the philosophy and objectives of the institutions at various levels
Explain the organization of health and nursing services at the various institutions
Understand the universal health coverage and health services provided and its role
towards enhancing nursing care
Identify and analyse the legal and ethical issues along with objectives and policies of the
institution
Discuss various organizational structure, norms and protocols
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF IRCS
Aid to the sick and wounded members of the Armed Forces of the Union in accordance
with the terms and spirit of the Geneva Conventions of 12th August, 1949 and discharge
of other obligations devolving upon the society under the conventions as the recognised
auxiliary of the Armed Forces medical services.
Aid to the de-mobilised sick and wounded members of the Armed Forces of the Union.
Maternity and Child Welfare.
Junior / Youth Red Cross.
Nursing and ambulance work.
Provision of relief for the mitigation of suffering caused by epidemics, earthquakes,
famines, floods and other disasters, whether in India or outside and rehabilitation of
victims.
The establishment and maintenance of peace among all nations in accordance with the
decisions of the International Red Cross Organisation.
The representation of the society or at International or other Committees formed for
furthering objects similar to those of the Society.
The improvement of health, prevention of diseases and mitigation of suffering and such
other cognate objects as may be approved by the Society from time to time. And such
other allied activities.
MISSION OF THE SOCIETY
The Mission of the Indian Red Cross is to inspire, encourage and initiate at all times all forms of
humanitarian activities so that human suffering can be minimized and even prevented and thus
contribute to creating more congenial climate for peace.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
History of Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Young Swiss businessman, Jean Henry Dunant was appalled by the condition of the wounded
soldiers he happened to see in the battle field of Solferino , Italy in 1859 during the Franco -
Austrian war. He arranged relief services with the help of the local community immediately. He
wrote the book 'Memory of Solferino' suggesting that a neutral organization be established to
aid the wounded soldiers in times of war. Just a year after the release of this book, an
international conference was convened in Geneva to consider the suggestions of Henry Dunant
and thus the Red Cross Movement was born. International Red Cross Movement was established
by Geneva Convention of 1864. The name and the emblem of the movement are derived from
the reversal of the Swiss national flag, to honor the country in which Red Cross was found.
Red Cross Emblem
Pic: Red Cross Emblem
Origin of Indian Red Cross Society
During the first world war in 1914, India had no organization for relief services to the affected
soldiers, except a branch of the St. John Ambulance Association and by a Joint Committee of the
British Red Cross. Later, a branch of the same Committee was started to undertake the much
needed relief services in collaboration with the St. John Ambulance Association in aid of the
soldiers as well as civilian sufferers of the horrors of that great war. A bill to constitute the
Indian Red Cross Society, Independent of the British Red Cross, was introduced in the Indian
Legislative Council on 3rd March 1920 by Sir Claude Hill, member of the Viceroy's Executive
Council who was also Chairman of the Joint war Committee in India . The Bill was passed on
17th March 1920 and became Act XV of 1920 with the assent of the Governor General on the
20th March 1920 .
COMPONENTS
The movement has three main components,
The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC),
National Societies and
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
PRINCIPLES
Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary service
Unity and universality
LOCATION
The Indian Red Cross Society is located in Red Cross Road, New Delhi, Delhi 110001, IN
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The IRCS has 36 State / Union Territories Branches with their more than 1200 districts and
sub district branches.
Honourable President of India is the President and Hon'ble Union Health Minister is the
Chairman of the Society.
The Vice Chairman is elected by the members of the Managing Body.
The National Managing Body consists of 18 members.
The Chairman and 6 members are nominated by the President. The remaining 12 are elected
by the state and union territory branches through an electoral college.
The Managing Body is responsible for governance and supervision of the functions of the
society through a number of committees.
The Secretary General is the Chief Executive of the Society.
Pic: Organogram of IRCS
ACTIVITIES/ FUNCTIONS OF THE SOCIETY
Social Emergency Response Volunteers (SERV)
Blood Centre
Livelihood program
First Aid
Disaster response
Education and Training Program
Tuberculosis (TB) Program
Family News Service
Youth Program
Partners for Resilience
Running of 40 bedded Red Cross Charitable Hospital at Seemapuri (East Delhi).
English Medium School for lower socio economic segments of society at Jhilmil (East
Delhi).
Regular health check-up and Blood Donation camps
Distribution of clothes to the needy in slums & night shelters
Awareness and prevention of Drug Abuse Programme in schools and colleges.
Providing Charitable and Humanitarian services to the weaker sections of the society.
Relief to victims of natural and man-made disasters in NCT of Delhi.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The IRCS has a regular finance support from fund raising campaigns, fairs, Grant-in-aids,
Charity shows, license fee, membership, donations and corpus interest.
Pic: Financial support of IRCS
FUTURE PLANS
The IRCS has a framework of future endeavours and is striving to achieve these plans.
Pic: future programs of IRCS
SUGGESTIONS
Our field visit to the Indian Red Cross Society was worth a visit as it enlightened us to support
their humanitarian efforts. We also recommend all batches of nursing students to continue a visit
to this society.
CONCLUSION
The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) is a voluntary humanitarian organization to protect human
life and health based in India. Volunteering has been at the very heart of the Indian Red Cross
Society since its inception in 1920, with the Society having Youth and Junior volunteering
programmes. The Society is closely associated with St John Ambulance India.
The visit was well arranged with adequate and informative data about the organization which
was presented by Mrs. Rani. The presentation covered all aspects of the organization and we had
a quick revision by question and answer rounds conducted by the presenter.
We would like to extent our immense joy and appreciation to the Indian Red Cross Society for
the warm welcome and imparting memorable learning experiences. This visit is truly
encouraging and we were indeed able to fully meet our objectives.
