The echoes of past conflicts, such as the 2006 Second Lebanon War, have fortified Rambam's resolve and preparedness. The invaluable lessons learned from these events led to the establishment of the Fortified Underground Emergency Hospital, an architectural marvel that deftly adapts to emergencies. Normally a three-level, 1,500-car parking facility, this structure can seamlessly convert into a fully operational 2,200-bed hospital within just 72 hours.
With the escalation of conflict brought by the Swords of Iron War, Rambam's emergency protocols have been rigorously tested. Immediately following the outbreak, the hospital sprang into action and began preparations to convert its underground hospital to accommodate patients not only from Rambam itself but also from other regional hospitals. These proactive measures were not just drills but preparation for grim realities.
Hundreds of patients below ground
During September 2024, following the escalation of the conflict in northern Israel, Rambam's Fortified Underground Hospital opened its doors, and over 650 patients were transferred to these facilities, in accordance with directives from Israel's Ministry of Health and the IDF Home Front Command. In addition to its own patients, Rambam admitted patients from several other hospitals in the region to its underground facilities, including from Carmel Medical Center and Fliman Geriatric Center, which lack adequate fortified facilities.
Among the displaced were the tiniest and most vulnerable – newborns from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) – who were transferred from Carmel to the fortified section of Rambam's Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital. This critical move symbolizes how every life, no matter how small, finds refuge and care under Rambam's diligent watch.
Since opening the underground facility, unimaginable feats have occurred below ground, including babies born and complicated surgeries performed. Furthermore, through an unprecedented initiative, Rambam has opened a daycare center for over 450 children of employees. Since schools and regular daycare facilities were temporarily closed in much of northern Israel due to the security situation, the daycare center enabled the staff to continue their essential work during this challenging time – thereby allowing the hospital to function at full capacity.
Rambam stands not only as a beacon of hope for the North but for all of Israel and beyond. It is the manifestation of a preparedness we once only envisioned – a paradigm of how we can protect our patients under any scenario. This transition from dream to reality underscores the hospital's commitment: now, more than ever, safeguarding the future of countless lives amid adversity.
"The past year has been extremely challenging for the Jewish people worldwide, perhaps one of the most difficult years in our history. The October 7 attack affected each and every one of us. Once we realized the magnitude of the attack, and the enormity of the threat we confronted, we immediately sprang into action.
"Hundreds of staff members came to Rambam, some without being called up, and began preparing the Fortified Underground Emergency Hospital for any emergency or mass casualty scenario. All came together and worked on a massive undertaking: preparing our aboveground and underground facilities to treat up to 2,200 patients in a fortified area when needed. The preparations included extensive purchases of medical and general equipment for four additional operating rooms deployed in the Fortified Underground Emergency Hospital," says Prof. Michael Halberthal, Director General of Rambam.
Healing the psychological wounds of war
Rambam remains committed to addressing not only the physical wounds of war but also the profound psychological scars that linger long after the bombs have ceased. Recognizing the psychological toll of ongoing conflict, Rambam has expanded its mental health services, especially for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For over 40 years, it has been a sanctuary where veterans and civilians alike find refuge and healing from the invisible scars of conflict.
As the devastating impact of the war continues to unfold, the demand for these essential services has significantly increased. New patients, deeply affected and seeking urgent care, turn to Rambam, reinforcing its pivotal role as not just a center for physical healing, but as a bastion of psychological resilience and recovery. In the days to come, Rambam will continue to adapt and lead, providing a comprehensive support system for those who have endured the harsh realities of war, ensuring that they are not alone on their journey to recovery.
A hero's healing journey
Since the beginning of the war, Rambam has been a vital lifeline in the region, receiving a steady influx of civilians and soldiers suffering from complex and severe injuries. Day and night, helicopters land on the hospital's helipad, delivering individuals whose lives have been irrevocably changed by the violence surrounding them. The medical staff works tirelessly to provide care, facing the challenges of treating those in desperate need amid a backdrop of constant upheaval and uncertainty.
In the early days of the war, on October 21, Lieut. Roy Moshe nearly lost his life during a missile attack while digging trenches near Kibbutz Baram in Northern Israel. Critically wounded and with tourniquets on all his limbs, he was airlifted to Rambam, where he remained unconscious for four days."My unit was on the front line, exposed, with nowhere to hide," Moshe recalls. As he took a break at around 5 pm, an anti-tank missile exploded nearby, and he was injured by shrapnel. His comrades responded quickly, applying tourniquets and getting him onto a stretcher. "There was blood everywhere," he remembers, grateful that his helmet and vest protected him from more severe injuries.
The evacuation involved two helicopter transfers and two blood transfusions. At Rambam's Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein Shock Trauma Room, a doctor assured him, "You've arrived at Rambam, and everything will be OK," before he lost consciousness.
Over the next ten hours, Moshe underwent an emergency tracheotomy and surgeries, receiving eight blood packs. Once he regained consciousness, he learned about his injuries. Prof. Adi Rachmiel from the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery noted Moshe's complex facial injuries: "He had facial bone fractures, cuts, and shrapnel wounds near his carotid artery."
Using advanced 3D CT imaging, the surgical team planned and executed a five-hour operation to repair Moshe's face, led by Rachmiel and surgeons Dr. Dekel Shilo and Dr. Uri Blank. They stitched tears and clamped his jaws shut for healing. Moshe reflects on the recovery: "My mother fed me with a syringe. I lost 19 kg."
While these injuries impacted his basic activities like eating and speaking, Moshe's spirit remained unshaken. "I was injured as a commander and warrior, so why should I be ashamed that a few of my teeth are missing?" he says, maintaining a positive outlook as he continues his rehabilitation.
About Rambam Health Care Campus
Nestled along the picturesque Mediterranean coast, Haifa is home to Rambam Health Care Campus, an institution that has been at the forefront of healthcare in Northern Israel for over 85 years. With a vital role in serving approximately 25% of Israel's population – over 2.5 million residents – Rambam has established itself as a critical medical hub, providing exemplary care and innovative services to its diverse patient base. As the only Level-1 Trauma Center in Northern Israel, it caters to a broad range of medical needs.
Rambam is not just a hospital; it is an academic leader recognized for its comprehensive trauma care and specialized services. The hospital encompasses 36 inpatient departments and 54 specialty units, as well as ten medical institutes and nine central laboratories.
Noteworthy facilities within the campus include the Ruth Rappaport Children's Hospital, the Joseph Fishman Oncology Center, and the newly inaugurated Eyal Ofer Heart Hospital. With its range of eminent departments, Rambam excels in fields such as oncology, cardiac and orthopedic surgeries, and neurosurgery.
For more information about Rambam Health Care Campus, visit www.rambam.org.il>>
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