MDA israel

A special flight, funded by the IFCJ took off last week with a rescue mission comprised of Magen David Adom and Ichilov Hospital staffת along with medical equipment and medications. This mission opened a clinic in Kishinev, Moldova, to assist refugees from the Ukraine crisis. The clinic was set up following a request from the local Jewish community, and the team, that includes MDA doctors, paramedic and EMTs, as well as medical staff from Ichilov Hospital, have been describing their first week of operations. 

"Even if I had a thousand pictures, I'd find it difficult to tell this story," said Paramedic Haim Levin, the clinic's manager. "We don't really have any heroic stories in this special clinic, but we have many special moments of human connection that are difficult to describe. It's hard to express the fear, the distress and the shock that these refugees have experienced, with their lives turned upside down in a flash. On the other hand, the look of relief in their eyes as they realize that they are safe, is indescribable."

The clinic has been active for a week and is part of the primary response provided for refugees, members of the Jewish communities, who had struggled through the war and the treacherous routes to reach safety. 

Levin told of one story: "An elderly lady who suffers from several chronic health problems arrived here after a long and arduous journey, during which time she had no sleep and no access to medications. When she arrived, her lung condition had deteriorated significantly, and she is now being treated in a local hospital under our supervision." 

MDA Doctor Hanan Gefen: "Along with the treatments that we provide at the clinic, twice a day we send teams on foot into the local refugee camps that are operated by the Jewish community. Ichilov Hospital and MDA doctors visit the camps, check the residents and treat those in need. On top of the medical checks, these visits help restore a sense of calm and security to people who have been traumatically torn away from their regular lives. I have no doubt that just by listening to these people, we're helping them cope with the situation."

The delegation has been coordinating with other Israeli agencies that are assisting the refugees in Moldova. MDA Paramedic Dana Raginsky met some elderly patients: "We were approached by three elderly ladies who needed medical supervision. Once we'd checked and treated them, we made sure to home them in the hostel where we're staying, so that way we can keep a close eye on them until they fly to Israel next week." Dana continued with a smile - "We see each of them as our grandmother. One of them has three dogs and wasn't able to take them out for a walk, so I took on that role. I even made sure to buy them some special snacks." 

The mission continues, and will be extending its activities.