After years of responding to emergency medical distress calls without charge as well as working with numerous emergency agencies in a totally volunteer capacity, without receiving government funding, Ichud (United) Hatzalah has finally been upgraded to the status of an official emergency medical service (EMS) provider in the State of Israel. The recognition was made possible due to the ongoing support of the organization from Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, who was an ardent supporter of the life-saving work of the organization during his tenure as deputy health minister in the 18th Knesset.

A meeting was held in the presence of the minister, Director-General of the Ministry of Health Moshe Bar Simantov, Deputy Director-General Dr. Boaz Lev, Ichud Hatzalah founder and President Eli Beer, Ichud CEO Ze’ev Kashash and other officials from both organizations, the official announcement was made.

The recognition follows a Health Ministry decision in January, permitting Ichud Hatzalah to train and certify EMTs and paramedics, bringing an end to the monopoly held by Magen David Adom (MDA) since the establishment of the state. The authorization cleared the way for Ichud Hatzalah to launch a school for EMS training headed by Professor Avi Rivkind, Israel’s leading traumatologist and head of Ichud Hatzalah’s medical committee.

Ichud Hatzalah was founded in 2006 and today proudly boasts over 2,500 volunteers nationwide including physicians, paramedics and EMTs. The many volunteers respond to emergency calls using hundreds of ambucycles or their own vehicle. The organization also has many specialized vehicles for off-the-road operations, a marine unit, rescue unit and more.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photos: Anar Green, Ichud Hatzalah spokesman’s office)