Medical students will double the number of sample takers across the country; the Ministry of Health and Magen David Adom will increase their number of examinations

16.3.20

Approximately 700 medical students from five faculties across Israel, who are in the clinical phase of their studies, joined the national effort in preventing the spread of the coronavirus in Israel. They are undergoing intensive training today while strictly adhering to the Ministry of Health’s guidelines of preventing the gathering of more than ten people in the same space. After training, they will join the 800 MDA paramedics who are already taking samples across the country.

The goal of this initiative, which is being done in full cooperation with the Ministry of Health, is to increase the number of samples taken every day across the country, in order to quickly identify coronavirus patients and carriers, and isolate them as soon as possible from the population, to prevent further infection.

“The training of about 700 sample takers in two days, while adhering to the gathering ban, is a huge challenge,” explained MDA Paramedic School Director Dr. Shafir Botner. “Therefore, theoretical learning will be done remotely, with the help of technological means. This includes a dedicated app that was created overnight, which contains all the necessary learning material. Practical practice, which cannot be done remotely, will be carried out in small groups across the country.”

“Increasing the number of samples taken from civilians across the country is a significant act in reducing the infection of the coronavirus in Israel, while also maintaining the routine operations of Magen David Adom, as Israel’s national EMS organization,” MDA Director General Eli Bin stated. “We have decided at Magen David Adom, together with the Ministry of Health and the medical faculties, to have students who are at an advanced stage in medical studies help in taking samples. They undergo dedicated training, and will join Magen David Adom’s paramedics in the important national mission. I thank the team of doctors who initiated the project, led by Dr. Itay Peretz, and the hundreds of future doctors who are already putting public health in their minds.”

Medical students will double the number of sample takers across the country; the Ministry of Health and Magen David Adom will increase their number of examinations

A total of 832,277 Patients and casualties were transferred to hospitals

MDA Operates 166 stations throughout Israel

MDA teams perform an Average of 500 resuscitations per month

MDA evacuated 74,865 wounded in road accidents, and 5,142 wounded from work-related accidents

232 babies were delivered in ambulances and at home assisted by MDA team members

There are 350 paramedics in the organization

On average, 1,745 operational callouts take place every day

In a public satisfaction survey conducted MDA came in 2nd place after the IDF on a list of security, emergency and rescue organizations with a score of 96%

According to the organization's statistics, the average response time for an ambulance and mobile intensive care unit is 8 minutes after the first call is received

In 2015, MDA celebrated its 85th anniversary

In a public satisfaction survey conducted MDA came in 2nd place after the IDF on a list of security, emergency and rescue organizations with a score of 96%

In 2015, MDA celebrated its 85th anniversary

MDA Employs 2,200 paid staff members and activates 22,000 volunteers, 12,000 of whom are teenagers

4,500 First Responder volunteers respond to an average of 488,8 calls a month I Volunteers invest over 1.5 million hours of service per year

The oldest volunteer is 90 years old & the youngest is 15

17,954 women in labor were transferred to hospital delivery rooms

There are 3 professionals in a Mobile Intensive Care Unit

A Life Support Ambulance A MICU team of 2 includes an Emergency Medical Technician and a paramedic

100,000 Israelis have downloaded the "My MDA" cellular App

20,000 Life Guardians are active across the country

110,000People underwent resuscitation courses

An intensive first aid and resuscitation course lasts 60 Hours

More than 470 foreign volunteers from 22 different countries were trained and volunteered in MDA stations

MDA trained 3,000 young parents in Infant and Child resuscitation

1,750 teenagers are given summer courses every year in infant and child resuscitation

750 teenagers are trained during courses to manage an MCI - Multi Casualty Incident

260,000 Blood Units were donated to MDA's Blood Bank | The MDA Blood Bank Services have 43 Blood Bank Mobiles

MDA dispatchers answer an emergency phone call in less than 4 seconds

The MDA emergency phone number is 101.

MDA deploys 379 MICUs (Mobile Intensive Care Units)

MDA deploys 715 ambulances

MDA deploys 63 of which are able to navigate through difficult routes and off-road conditions

MDA deploys 8 Dune Tractors (MULES) to evacuate victims from unconventional areas

MDA deploys 5 paramedic supervisor ALS vehicles, and 2 helicopters

MDA deploys 507 First responders on motorbikes

MDA deploys 50 armored ambulances are also deployed in friction and combat zones

There are 174 MDA ambulances stationed in Kibbutzim, Moshavim and Local Councils