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Cuts comes at a particularly tense time in terms of Israel's security

Despite wave of terror attacks, West Bank ambulances not running

Health Ministry transfers only half of allocated funds for rescue services beyond Green Line; Magen David Adom warns it won't be able to provide special services in 11 stations in West Bank.

Magen David Adom (MDA) stations beyond the Green Line will not be able to operate ambulance services until the end of the year due to a budget cut imposed by the Health Ministry, it was reported Sunday.

 


The reduction in allocations comes at a particularly tense time in terms of Israel's security situation. The cuts may also affect the operations of three other stations in northern Israel.

 

The stations hit by the budget cuts include Beit Aryeh-Ofarim, Shavei Shomron, Alfei Menashe, Dolev Talmonim, Megillot, Beitar Illit, the Jordan Valley, Tekoa and Giv'at Ze'ev. Dispatch points from which ambulances are deployed will not be operating in any of these stations. In Ariel, an intensive care ambulance will be in use, while the operations of regular ambulances will be halted.

 

The cuts may also affect the operations of three other stations in northern Israel. (Photo: Yaron Brener) (Photo: Yaron Brener)
The cuts may also affect the operations of three other stations in northern Israel. (Photo: Yaron Brener)

 

In a letter Sunday to the Health Ministry, MDA's head of operations Gil Moskowitz noted the needed budget of NIS 10.24 million was cut to only NIS 5.645 million, which, as a result, will affect rescue services.

 

The dispatch points function as regular stations, the only difference being that they do not operate emergency call centers. In the absence of a budget for the salary of MDA workers, the stations will be operated by volunteers and on-call staff, and by paramedics from other stations. One of the results of the cuts is a longer waiting time for the arrival of the crews, potentially wasting critical minutes.

 

MDA said in response: "Magen David Adom officials warned on several occasions and contacted officials and heads of settlements in the West Bank in order to resolve the debt issue. Unfortunately, despite our many appeals on the subject, the officials continue to ignore our requests and do not fulfill their obligations for payment. However, MDA continued to run the spots in the West Bank and paid the salaries and the operation expenses from its own budget."

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.24.14, 00:16
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