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Parking Lot Transformed Into Underground Hospital Ward
31 Mar
Summary
- Ichilov hospital's parking lot converted to an underground hospital ward.
- The underground facility can house over 1,000 people, currently treating 600.
- Hospital operations moved underground in approximately four hours during the recent conflict.
Ichilov hospital in central Tel Aviv has transformed its underground parking structure into a fully operational hospital ward amidst ongoing conflict. What was once a car park is now divided into cubicles for patients, equipped with essential medical supplies and oxygen. This innovative solution reflects a forward-thinking emergency preparedness plan conceived two decades ago by hospital leadership.
The underground facility, spanning three levels, boasts a capacity for over 1,000 individuals, with approximately 600 patients currently receiving treatment. Hospital operations were successfully relocated to this secure subterranean location in just four hours when conflict erupted. This rapid transition was possible due to meticulous planning, including pre-established lists of patients designated for transfer.
While critical care and neonatal wards remain in bomb-protected areas above ground, the underground ward ensures that a significant portion of the hospital's services can continue even under threat. This proactive measure is a direct response to the reality of potential missile attacks, a concern heightened by the proximity of an army base and past incidents at other hospitals.
