Health Ministry instructs public hospitals to return to routine

Ministry director-general: Health system functioned excellently during Gaza conflict, now can return to normal.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Rambam hospital to be moved underground (photo credit: RAMBAM HOSPITAL SPOKESMAN)
Rambam hospital to be moved underground
(photo credit: RAMBAM HOSPITAL SPOKESMAN)
Three days after the start of the cease-fire, Health Ministry director-general Prof.
Arnon Afek instructed the public hospitals to return to routine activity on Thursday.
Afek and Health Minister Yael German thanked the hospital medical teams for their devoted treatment of the wounded, both soldiers and civilians. During Operation Protective Edge, the medical system, including the hospitals, proved their endurance and professionalism, German said.
“It enabled the IDF to function knowing that every wounded soldier would received the speediest and best care,” the minister continued.
The health system treated more than 2,200 victims of Gazans terrorists, including 1,500 who suffered from trauma and needed emotional support. Between July 7 to 20, 438 military and civilian wounded were treated in the country’s hospitals. A total of 69 arrived in serious condition, 121 moderately and the rest lightly wounded. Eleven hospitals from Rambam Medical Center in the Haifa to Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon (which treated the largest number, 84) were involved in the effort.