The IDF's New COVID-19 Hospital Wards

Throughout the years, the IDF has participated in many global humanitarian missions. During the 2010 Haiti Earthquake for example, the IDF constructed a life-saving field hospital, where they treated over a thousand patients. During Operation Good Neighbor, the IDF provided medical care to thousands of injured Syrian civilians. However, this is the first time in history that the Israel Defense Forces is entering the realm of civilian medical care and treating Israeli civilians with military manpower. IDF doctors, nurses, and medics are rising to the task ahead of them determined and are ready to give.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Rambam Health Care Campus, approximately 100 members of the IDF Medical Corps will begin operating new underground medical wards. Starting October 11, 2020, these wards will treat patients with intermediate to severe symptoms of COVID-19, and help restore the hospital’s full operational capacity from before the COVID-19 epidemic. 

"This is something we have never done before," says Chief Medical Officer Brigadier General Professor Alon Glazberg. "We are experts in operational competence on the battlefield—and over the last few months, COVID-19 has become our battle."

The hospital where this mission is taking place, Rambam Health Care Campus, is in the northern Israeli city of Haifa. In northern Israel a challenge has arisen—the number of patients is growing, while the manpower and number of logistical forces in the area is lower than what is required. Understanding this urgency, Rambam Health Care Campus gladly accepted the call to join forces with the IDF’s medical staff. 

Dr. Michael (Mickey) Halbertal, General Director of Rambam Health Care Campus, stated: "Since the IDF came here, we’ve been inspired just by seeing their commitment and their dedication to help. The [IDF Medical Staff’s] team has gone out of their comfort zone and brought its capabilities to the civilian world." 

The IDF and its Medical Corps are now acting as part of the civilian national health system, and subsequently will act as required throughout this important national mission. The IDF considers this a mission of paramount importance, and will go above and beyond to ensure the safety of the civilians it protects.