Dr. Chezi Levy of Barzilai Hospital reported on Wednesday 18 Tammuz that the hospital has moved its emergency room to a fortified area. While Barzilai is building a new unit capable of withstanding rocket attack, that unit is not ready at this time.

Levy explains that with the beginning of Operation Protective Edge they reduced the hospital’s patient population by about 50%. All elective procedures have been canceled and geriatric and rehab patients were transferred to facilities outside of the heavy rocket range which is the southern hospital’s reality.

He explained they hesitated for as long as possible regarding the emergency room since the current room is equipped to accept many many causalities and they stood ready for incoming soldiers and/or civilians, chas v’sholom. However with the increased shelling, the decision was made to abandon the state-of-the-art emergency room and its large patient load capabilities for a safer working environment for it has simply become too dangerous for patients and staff alike to continue operating in the non-fortified emergency room area.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)