​ (Communicated by the IDF spokesperson's unit)

 

In recent years, Israel has often sent humanitarian aid to disaster-struck areas of the world. This aid often takes the form of field hospitals equipped with the best and latest medical technologies and the best medical teams that Israel has to offer. From the natural disaster in Haiti to the disaster in the Philippines, teams from the IDF Medical Corps have set up field hospitals and treated masses of injured victims.

 

Now, after hard work by the IDF and the Medical Corps, aided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, vis-à-vis the World Health Organization (WHO), the Medical Corps field hospital has won the highest accreditation given by WHO for field hospitals. Out of hundreds of field hospitals operating throughout the world, only 16 so far have been accredited by WHO and Israel has not only joined their ranks but has won the organization’s highest rating. While the other 16 field hospitals are accredited to provide expert consultation, Israel’s rating allows it to extend treatment in cases of trauma.

 

The high-level peer review that was conducted by WHO last week approved granting the organization’s highest rating to the IDF Medical Corps field hospital. At the ceremony marking the end of the review, WHO delegation head Dr. Ian Norton said that the high level demonstrated during the review and the vast practical experience of Israeli teams throughout the world define the Israeli field hospital as one of the best in the world.

 

A big ceremony is due to take place at the end of November in Hong Kong in which the president of the World Health Organization will announce Israel’s important achievement.