(IDF Blog)

The 260-member IDF disaster team sent to Nepal in the wake of the earthquake there includes 40 medical personnel on a mission to save lives. One of their priorities is to set up a field hospital near Kathmandu. "The team brought the most recent technology possible," explains Lt. Col. Asi Hempel, a doctor in the IDF's Medical Corps. "The field hospital will be equipped with everything: x-rays, operating rooms that will work 24/7, laboratories and more."

The hospital will have the ability to receive and provide care for around 200 patients a day. "Israel's top specialists for traumatic injuries are among the medical team in Nepal," says Lt. Col. Hempel.

The IDF has gained much experience from past humanitarian missions, and as a result has developed unique technology for its field hospital. "We pioneered a state-of-the-art system with the IDF's C4I Branch, that allows us to create an internal digital medical file for every patient."

"The process is very simple," states Lt. Col. Hempel. "Each patient who arrives at the field hospital is greeted by a medical assistant who takes his picture and gives him a unique barcode. This barcode is scanned at every station the patient goes through, allowing the doctor to access any and all medical information and treatments the patient receives. This system allows us to ensure that no station in the hospital is overwhelmed with patients. Quality treatment is a priority."




Unloading supplies for the field hospital
Copyright: IDF Spokesperson


Hanging the Israeli flag on the field hospital in Kathmandu
Copyright: IDF Spokesperson

One of the doctors who joined the IDF's humanitarian mission  is Dr. Shree Krishna Kashichwa, born in Nepal, who has spent the last five years in Israel for advanced training. Many of his relatives lost houses in the earthquake. “Israel is doing a great thing, and on behalf of the Nepalese people, I want to say thank you," he said.