Magen David Adom on Monday unveiled the newest member of its fleet, donated by Friends of MDA Sweden, carrying an impressive price tag of NIS 1,200,000. The new unit will be available for service nationwide, free of charge.

The inauguration of the new vehicle will be part of the Kosel ceremony during the organization’s international body, IMDAC (International Magen David Adom Conference), in the presence of Deputy Minister of Health R’ Yaakov Litzman and Rav of the Kosel and Holy Sites Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz. Of course senior MDA officials and organization volunteers will also be present.

The vehicle is intended to serve as a carrier for terminally ill patients who are bed-ridden, providing transport in the hope of fulfilling last wishes. The unit and its crew will assist such patients R”L in reaching a holy site, sporting event, museum, staffed with a physician and team of medical professional capable of handling the difficult situation and challenge of ambulating such a patient.

The vehicle promises an extremely smooth ride and sophisticated cameras installed on the vehicle permit the passenger to see the view as they drive, on a plasma screen of course. The comes equipped with a sophisticated sound system, and a refrigerator to accommodate medications and food.

The lift system permits loading passengers with ease and it accommodates it all-terrain wheelchair, which can accommodate a patient seeking a last visit t oteh beach, able to navigate the terrain. The vehicle’s bed is a sophisticated pneumatic apparatus intended on minimizing the stress of the ride.

Medically speaking, the vehicle can accommodate life support systems, and it has its own mechanical respirator, infusion apparatus, cardiac monitor/ defibrillator, and other essentials.

The paramedics, EMTs and others who will ride along with patients will undergo specialized training to ensure their total familiarity with the vehicle and its advanced innovations, similar to a project that exists in Holland.

MDA officials explain that the director-general, Eli Bin, personally undertook making this project a reality.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)