World Red Cross Day is observed on May 8 every year. The red cross you see across every healthcare unit in the city, isn't the symbol for the doctors. It's the icon of the Red Cross Society, a voluntary humanitarian organization providing relief in times of disasters/emergencies and promotes healthcare of the vulnerable people and communities.

A previously unknown immunodeficiency disease was discovered by scientists about twenty-five years ago, which came to be known broadly as 'AIDS'. Ever since, 'Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome' or AIDS, has spread dangerously, taking the world by storm. More than 40 million people worldwide, are infected with HIV/AIDS and more than 3.1 million AIDS-related deaths occurred worldwide each year.

Malaria is one of the leading causes of death in the developing nations. Approximately more than 300 to 500 million clinical cases of malaria and over to 1.5 to 2.7 million malaria related deaths are being recorded every year. Children below the age of 5 years face an increased risk of contracting malaria. Of special mention is the Plasmodium falciparum strain, which is associated with a mortality rate of 1 to 3% and 95% of malaria deaths. With increasing resistance of mosquitoes to drugs and pesticides, malaria is now spreading at an alarming rate to areas previously devoid of the disease.

Diarrhea is characterized by is the passage of loose or watery stools, accompanied by mucus, pus or blood. Diarrheal disease in children is a common illness, encountered in clinical practice. The risk of mortality associated with childhood diarrhea is more in children below 2 years of age. In fact, about 80% of the diarrhea related deaths occur in children of this age group. Diarrhea, which significantly affects the ability of the body to absorb water, essential salts and other nutritional substances, can either be acute (sudden onset) or chronic (over a prolonged time). If untreated, it can lead to dehydration, shock and even death.

Blood donation is a process by which a blood donor voluntarily donates his blood for storage in a blood bank or for subsequent use in a blood transfusion. Red Cross and other NGOs conducts ‘World Blood Donors Day’ every year in order to create awareness to the general public about the importance of voluntary blood donation and to encourage more people to become regular blood donors. The day coincides with the birth date of Karl Landsteiner, who discovered the ABO blood group system.