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Knesset member, Rabbi Michael Malchieli (Shas), visited MDA earlier this week, at the organization’s National Command and Control Center in Kiryat Ono.

During his visit, the he received a thorough briefing from MDA Director-General, Eli Bin, about the various activities of the organization, among which are MDA’s blood services, and the new underground blood bank set to be built in Ramle, as well as the “Life Guardians” project. Additionally, he received a briefing of the MDA national volunteer system that includes thousands of civilians ready to save lives at any time of need. During the visit, Malchieli was exposed to the organization’s operational activity that includes over 1,000 ambulances and mobile intensive care units, 500 Medi-Cycles, e-bikes, two helicopters, over 16,000 volunteers, 6,000 of which are youth volunteers and 21,000 are “Life Guardians”. He was especially impressed with the integration of e-bikes in MDA’s rescue system.

In addition, Knesset Member Malchieli received an explanation of MDA’s emergency dispatch center – the 101 emergency line, during which he was impressed with the amount of calls tended to by MDA personnel 24/7:

• Every 15 seconds a call is received at the MDA dispatch center.
• Each call is answered in under four seconds.
• Every 38 seconds an ambulance is dispatched to an emergency scene.
• MDA teams respond to over two million emergencies yearly.

During the briefing, the Knesset Member expressed interest in the MDA law, by which MDA is defined as a statutory association – the only one in the state of Israel, whose role by law, is to provide First Aid services, hospital evacuations and blood services during routine and emergencies. Additionally, he heard about the new MDA project of establishing the first Breast Milk Bank that would supply breast milk to premature babies in need in a supervised and monitored manner that ensures high quality. Malchieli was also impressed with the MDA mobile app, “My MDA”, that enables direct contact with MDA EMTs and paramedics at the dispatch center, and sharing the user’s precise location.

Additionally, in order to streamline the treatment process, users can manage an in-app mini medical record with essential medical information such as chronic diseases, allergies, medication sensitivity, previous illnesses, etc. all medical information is transmitted to the ambulance team prior to its arrival on the scene. Malchieli also heard about various law propositions dealing with MDA, such as the one aiming to allow location of cellular data in order to locate individuals in life risking situations and to provide them with medical treatment.

Knesset Member, Michael Malchieli: “I would like to thank MDA Director-General Eli Bin, you are very valued at the Knesset. MDA to me, are the people who saved my child when he choked eight years ago. When we called an ambulance it arrived quickly and the dedicate team saved his life. There is a warm spot in my heart for you, and I am happy to help with legislation regarding the organization, as it promotes saving lives.”

MDA Director General, Eli Bin: “You are a friend of all rescue organizations in Israel, and of course, of MDA as well. You deal a lot with saving lives, and you know that ultimately, the most important thing is getting to people in emergencies as quickly as possible. I thank you for your support. I am certain that in your visit today, you were exposed to things you hadn’t been familiar with, and I thank you for your will to help promote projects and legislation in order to fortify MDA so it can produce medical treatment and save lives.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)