A New Hospitalization Complex for Times of Emergency at Shamir Medical Center
Shamir Medical Center is launching a 150-bed emergency hospitalization complex in a fortified area on its campus, to provide a secure environment at times of emergency and enable appropriate medical response for the COVID-19 pandemic
The Ministry of Health and the management of Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh) have agreed to convert a fortified area of the Medical Center’s underground parking lot, located near its entrance, into a 150-bed medical care complex that will provide emergency response, including for COVID-19 patients. These beds are an addition to Shamir Medical Center’s three dedicated COVID-19 departments, established in an on-campus isolated compound during the first pandemic wave. Shamir Medical Center, Israel’s fourth-largest government hospital, serving Israel’s densely populated central region.
Conversion of the underground parking lot to an emergency hospitalization complex is estimated to cost NIS 26 million, which includes electrical infrastructure, installation of portable supply lines, communication systems, air conditioning systems, adaptation of the sanitation and water system, as well as environmental improvements needed to secure access and enable day-to-day operations during times of emergency.
While the Ministry of Health has allocated funds to cover the conversion and construction costs, the Medical Center is required to raise an additional NIS 25 million from its own resources to outfit the emergency hospitalization complex with the needed instrumentation systems: Ventilators, monitors, electric hospital beds, and advanced medical equipment.
Upon project completion, expected in October 2020, the Medical Center will be able to provide an overall medical response during times of emergency, crisis, and epidemics.
Illustration - Sharon Architects
“I am pleased that the Ministry of Health has decided to approve and complete the conversion of the bottom floor of our parking lot for emergency hospitalization,” says Dr. Osnat Levtzion-Korach, Director General of Shamir Medical Center, adding, “The significance of this project for our hospital, which serves more than a million people, is far-reaching. We are at the center of the campaign against the pandemic, and we must be prepared for another increase in the number of cases, especially ahead of the next winter season. An addition of 150 hospital beds will bolster our preparedness and enhance our resilience.”
Mr. Ilan Yiftach, the Medical Center’s Administrative Director, noted: “This project is of national importance, and we are currently well advanced in its execution, with works on the parking lot already underway. We expect that the parking lot will be ready in early October for patient reception and hospitalization as needed. Adding 150 fortified beds will enable providing care and transferring numerous patients safely under security or epidemic events.”