Erdan officially recognizes United Hatzalah as national rescue force

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
Updated: SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 00:33
United Hatzalah and Magen David Adom volunteers at the scene of an accident (photo credit: BECKY BROTHMAN)
United Hatzalah and Magen David Adom volunteers at the scene of an accident
(photo credit: BECKY BROTHMAN)
The Internal Security Ministry has officially recognized United Hatzalah as an emergency rescue organization in addition to Magen David Adom (MDA).
The ministry thus recognizes its 3,500 volunteers as an official body that will have a formal role in national emergencies.
This will provide scores more of doctors, paramedics and medics to the scene to provide lifesaving treatment. The recognition comes about two months after the Health Ministry ensured that UH would receive MDA’s emergency calls automatically instead of people calling directly to UH’s emergency number.
Thus UH will be invited to take part in coping with natural disasters and mass catastrophes.
The move by Minister Gilad Erdan was welcomed by Israel Police Chief Roni Alsheich, who recently made an in-depth visit to UH headquarters in Jerusalem. UH volunteers, for whose service no payment is made by those who receive it, treat over 300,000 cases of sick and injured around the country.
They arrive by ambucycle within an average of three minutes.
UH founder and president Eli Beer said the ministry’s recognition is a “certificate of honor for us that will help us to continue to save lives.”