Woman moves HC to restrain doctors from using Redcross emblem

Chennai, Nov 28 (UNI) A city-based woman activist today moved Madras High court, seeking to restrain medical practitioners, pharmacists, hospitals and others in the allied fields of medicine from using Redcross emblem.

The first bench comprising, Chief Justice A P Shah and Mr Justice V Rmasubramanian admitted the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and ordered issue of notice to State Health Secretary, Tamil Nadu Medical Council and Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association returnable by December 10.

The petitioner, Ms Vanishree Gnaneswaran, a social activist, submitted that the sanctity of the emblem was being marred because many were now using it as a prestige symbol.

She said the doctors should use only the symbol allotted to them (two snakes entwining a mast) by the Indian Medical Association and hospitals, the ''H'' symbol and the pharmacists the green cross symbol.

Ms Vanishree, whose husband is a member of the Tamil Nadu unit of the Indian Redcross society, further said the International Red Cross society has taken pains to spread the message as the emblem has been misused by terrorists.

UNI