PHOTOS: In The Presence Of The Health Minister; The IMDAC Conference Concluded With A Festive Gala

(PHOTOS IN EXTENDED ARTICLE)

Health Minister of Israel Rav Yaakov Litzman, and Professor Daniel Hershkowitz, former President of Bar Ilan University and Former Science Minister of Israel, Attended a Gala Concluding the Annual Four Day IMDAC Conference. The Conference Was Attended by Heads of MDA’s Friend Societies from Around the World, Who Inaugurated Dozens of Rescue Vehicles That Aim to Improve the Service and Medical Treatment Provided by the Organization. Minister of Health, Knesset Member Rav Yaakov Litzman: “They Say That Whoever Saves a Single Soul, It Is as If He Has Saved a Whole World; MDA Saves Hundreds of Lives Every Day.”

Heads of MDA’s friend societies from around the world landed in Israel about ten days ago in order to take part in the annual IMDAC Conference for all of its societies. The conference, which lasted four days during which participants were exposed to MDA’s activity throughout the country, concluded with a festive gala attended by 250 guests and the Minister of Health Yaakov Litzman, Professor Daniel Hershkowitz, Heads of MDA’s Friend Societies, MDA President Avi Zohar, MDA Director-General, Eli Bin, and MDA Senior Staff. During the week participants also visited the IDF Medical School and learned about MDA’s collaboration with the Medical Corps.

The evening began with the screening of a video in which MDA teams shared their experience from the night they treated Solomon family members in the terror attack in N’vei Tzuf. Shalom Galil, one of the paramedics who treated the family said: “The moment I arrived on the scene and wore a paramedic’s vest, all my thoughts disappeared and I immediately began treating the patients. Our whole mission is to save lives and I thank you for being there for us and giving us the opportunity to do so.” Afterwards, another video was screened about the activity of MDA volunteer, Arye Shachar, a senior EMT from the MDA Karmiel Station in Northern Israel, who was invited on stage to receive flowers and praises.

On the first day of the conference which took place in Jerusalem, MDA inaugurated new Mini MERVs (mobile electric rescue vehicle), electric bicycle, and a fleet of 28 Medicycles – all donated to MDA with funds collected by MDA’s friend societies around the world and in Israel. One of the Medicycles was donated to MDA by the family of late IDF soldier, Nachshon Wachsman, who was kidnapped and murdered by terrorists 23 years ago. His family commemorated his memory by donating a Medicycle that would be used by MDA teams to save lives.

Additionally, on the second day of the conference, MDA inaugurated four ambulances donated to MDA by its friend societies in Australia, Belgium, the UK and the United States, three Medicycles donated by friend societies in Italy and Australia, a mobile intensive care unit donated by MDA’s friend society in the United States and two mini MERVs donated by societies in Switzerland and Holland.

During the evening, Mrs. Lorraine Goldsmith, management member of MDA’s UK friend society, granted Leonard Less, a longtime member of the UKFMDA, a certificate of honor for his 50 years of activity for the organization. Additionally, all representatives of MDA’s friend societies received certificates with the honorary doctorate degree granted to MDA by Bar Ilan University earlier this year, and the national award for quality and excellence, also granted to MDA earlier in 2017.

Health Minister, Knesset Member Litzman: “They say whoever saved a single soul, it is as if he has saved a whole world, MDA saves hundreds of lives every day. We, in the government, try to help MDA, but we cannot provide everything and therefore you are the people who can help MDA save lives.”

Professor Daniel Hershkowitz, President of Bar Ilan University and Former Science Minister: “In my opinion, one of the most impressive examples for how new technologies and knowledge could be implemented to help others, is within MDA. When you think about MDA, the organization is an excellent example for how to use knowledge to help other people.”

Chairman of IMDAC 2017, Mr. Gershon Trimpol: “I would like to thank you all for participating in the conference. I am certain that everything we experienced here will assist us in fundraising when we go back home. Thank you for everything you do for saving lives in Israel and I hope to see you at IMDAC 2018.”

Chairman of the MDA Executive Committee, Rabbi Avraham Menela: “I am moved to stand here for the first time as the Chairman of the Executive Committee, there is a complex mission to this role. In Judaism they say ‘All Israelis are responsible for one another’ there’s not a beating heart that connects all Israeli in such an amazing way like MDA.”

MDA Director-General, Eli Bin: “Every year we are in awe of the blessed work of the members of MDA’s friend societies around the world who allow us to stand in the front of saving lives nationally. We act as Israel’s national rescue organization and aren’t funded by the government and therefore these donations are very significant, this manifests in our ability to save the lives of many and provide humanitarian aid in disasters worldwide. I am proud of these capabilities and am committed ensure MDA continues to act as an anchor for the state of Israel.”