Who founded the Red Cross Society?

Appeared in: P.CHO-2019

Explanation

Jean Henri Dunant, a Swiss businessman, founded the Red Cross.
He was inspired to act after witnessing the suffering of wounded soldiers at the Battle of Solferino in 1859.
His book, 'A Memory of Solferino', proposed creating neutral volunteer organizations to provide aid during wartime.
This led to the establishment of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in 1863 and the Geneva Convention in 1864.

Option A: There is no historical record linking a person named Cursetji to the founding of the International Red Cross.
Option B: Robert Baden-Powell is famous for founding the Scout Movement, not the Red Cross.
Option D: Trygve Lie was a Norwegian diplomat who served as the first Secretary-General of the United Nations.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain History and founding of the Red Cross Society as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), established in 1920, is a key voluntary health agency in India that nurses often collaborate with, especially during disaster relief, blood donation camps, and community health programs.
The core principles of the Red Cross—Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality—are foundational to ethical nursing practice, guiding care delivery in all situations.
What if a nurse is in a mass casualty incident? The Red Cross principle of impartiality is critical. It dictates that care is prioritized based on the urgency of medical need, not on nationality, race, religious beliefs, class, or political opinions.

How to Approach the Question

Identify the core subject of the question, which is the 'Red Cross Society'.
The question asks 'Who founded' it, indicating the need to recall a specific historical figure.
Evaluate each option based on historical knowledge.
J.H. Dunant is the well-known founder of the Red Cross.
Eliminate other options by identifying their correct historical roles: Baden-Powell (Scouts) and Trygve Lie (United Nations).
Conclude that J.H. Dunant is the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health Nursing for BSc Nursing Students Part 2 — Subpart B (pp 276-535 of 550) p. 215-217

Practise the full P.CHO-2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.