United Hatzalah welcomes the announcement of Professor Roni Gamzu, Director-General of the Ministry of Health to allow any medical first response in Israel to assist in relief. No longer will people in Israel suffer waiting for an ambulance. Countrywide, the thousands of United Hatzalah EMT’s , hundreds ambucycle EMTs, paramedics and physicians will be alerted to emergencies without delay.

Beginning in February, Magen David Adom, will receive all calls for medical emergencies, according to the Health Ministry’s plans.

Once Magen David Adom is called by citizens dialing 101, MDA will alert the five EMTs or paramedics nearest the scene, regardless of whether they specifically work for MDA or another EMS service accredited by the Health Ministry and that follow the ministry’s protocols and standards

The protocols released today represent a significant step in establishing an objective, transparent, professional and uniform standard of operation expected of all emergency medical service providers. United Hatzalah will remain vigilant in its efforts to remedy all remaining deficiencies in the provision of emergency medical care in Israel. Eli Beer, founder of United Hatzalah said “Today’s recognition of United Hatzalah by the Ministry of Health and the Israeli Government represents an important milestone in our efforts to activate 3,000 volunteers, 600 ambucycles with a 90 second response time in Israel.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)