MDA israel

Minister of Internal Security, Amir Ohana (Likud) and Director General of the Ministry of Public Security Moshe (Chico) Edri visited MDA on Wednesday and were accompanied by MDA’s Director General, Eli Bin and other senior managers.

During his visit, MK Ohana was given a tour of the National Operations Center, met the dedicated MDA employees and received a comprehensive overview of the organization’s activities during the coronavirus crisis to better understand the function’s of Israel’s national emergency medical and blood services organization.

During his visit, MK Ohana learned about MDA’s routine and emergency activities, the organization’s response to the coronavirus crisis, and the organization’s role in obtaining test samples, an efficient system which has been in place since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Israel. In addition, he learned about MDA’s Blood Services which is among routine responsibilities responseible for collecting convalescent plasma from recovered coronavirus patients and delivering it to the hospital for treatment of patients in moderate and severe conditions.

MDA managers showed MK Ohana the “MDA in the Community” project which is expected to assist in reducing evacuations to emergency rooms by nearly 30%. During the tour of the 101 Emergency Call Center, the Minister was taught about the many technologies developed by MDA and the many collaborations between MDA and Israel’s Police and Fire Rescue Departments. 

The Minister was shown the unique vehicles used by MDA teams around the country, including an ATV able to rescue victims from off road settings, MDA motorcycles, ambulances, mobile intensive care units and the unique intensive care bus that can evacuate large numbers of patients, including those in severe condition and armored vehicles. The Minister also saw a unique and innovative system that disinfects the interior of the vehicle in cases where MDA teams treat and evacuate Corona patients.

The Minister of Internal Security, Amir Ohana: "My connection to Magen David Adom and my appreciation for the organization did not begin with my current position but much earlier, as a Member of Knesset and before. On more than one occasion the angels in white who arrived in the most difficult moments and reached out, helped and saved lives. As Minister of Internal Security, I meet with MDA personnel every week in the weekly situation assessments together with the various security and rescue bodies. Although there is no government funding, which I see as a great advantage, I see MDA as a central and vital part of the internal security system of Israeli society. I am very proud of you, Israeli citizens have blessed you. You are doing amazing work, keep going. We will do our best to improve cooperation, coordination, control and supervision for the benefit and well-being of all citizens of the country."

MDA Director General Eli Bin: "The connection between Magen David Adom and the Ministry of Internal Security and its branches, the Israel Police, the Israel Prison Service and Israel Fire and Rescue are close both in routine and emergency situations. MDA is the leading organization for emergency medicine in the country and the technological, professional and operational collaborations with other emergency services are strong and good for the sake of the citizens of Israel.”