MDA is on highest alert for Yom Kippur
Ahead of Yom Kippur which this year will take place during a national lockdown and the second wave of coronavirus, MDA is prepared with more teams and a high level of alert to provide emergency assistance during the fast day.
Each year, MDA provides services to thousands in need due to heat, dehydration, fasting and other medical emergencies. Now, there is an added challenge of coronavirus and MDA is on the highest alert to provide emergency services and save lives across the country.
This year, too, MDA stations around the country will be reinforced during Yom Kippur with EMTs, paramedics, ambulances, MICUs, MDA emergency medi-cycles and MERVs, in order to prepare to provide urgent medical care to patients and injured who need assistance. At the same time, MDA will continue to provide services for Corona issues.
MDA Director-General Eli Bin held a situation assessment with MDA’s senior managers in preparation for Yom Kippur and instructed the regional directors to act at the third level of preparedness, which is the highest level, from the evening of Yom Kippur until the end of the holiday.
Each year, MDA publishes safety guidelines to the teams who will be driving on Yom Kippur to ensure that all passersby and drivers are kept safe. MDA asks the public to make sure to clear the way for ambulances and allow them free and safe passage.
Each year more than 2,000 calls are received at MDA’s 101 Emergency Call Centre. This year, in light of the full closure, the restrictions on gathering and the restrictions on leaving one’s house, the organization expects a decrease in the number of emergency calls but remains prepared for the increase in calls.
MDA requests that should it be decided that the synagogues stay open, that they have a phone in the synagogue by which to call MDA’s 101 Emergency Call Center or by using the MyMDA cellular application which automatically connects to the MDA 101 Emergency Call Center.
MDA Director-General Eli Bin said: “This year, Yom Kippur is expected to take place in an unusual and different format from everything we knew.
Although the streets are expected to be empty of people, the Corona crisis and fasting can lead to many emergencies and therefore the organization is on high alert. The fastest, most professional and most efficient medical all over the country. In any medical need that may arise, MDA staff can be called on 101 emergency number or via the ‘My MDA’ app.”
I would like to ask to clear the roads to allow MDA ambulances on the roads to clear routes during Yom Kippur. On behalf of MDA employees and volunteers, I wish the entire House of Israel Gmar Chatima Tova and a helpful fast. “
