Under the direction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health is sending a medical delegation to Jamaica to assist the local population affected by the hurricane.
The delegation, led by the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Sefi Mendelovich, and under the medical direction of the Director of Shaare Tzedek Medical Center, Prof. Ofer Merin, will include about 30 doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff from hospitals across Israel.
Dr. Mendelovich and Prof. Merin will depart tonight as an advance team to prepare on-site. The rest of the delegation will leave today and will operate in two hospitals in Jamaica where residents evacuated from the affected areas are being treated. The Israeli teams will support the local medical staff and assist in treating the injured and managing emergency medical cases.
The composition and size of the delegation were determined in response to a request from Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and in coordination with it.
Director General of the Ministry of Health, Moshe Bar Siman Tov: “This delegation represents the spirit of dedication and professionalism of Israel’s health system and our readiness to help other countries in times of crisis. The Israeli health system is highly experienced in disaster response and mass-casualty incidents—expertise gained both in Israel and through many missions sent to disaster zones worldwide. Our medical professionals always answer the call to help wherever they are needed.”
Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Eden Bar Tal: “The aid mission to Jamaica reflects the moral and ethical commitment of the State of Israel to provide assistance in disaster areas around the world. Jamaica has a long and unique history of relations with the State of Israel and the Jewish people. As one of the leading nations in the Caribbean, Jamaica is an important partner, and we are committed to further strengthening ties between Israel and the countries of the region.
Israel has a history of life-saving missions in the area. In 2010, the State of Israel sent a large-scale aid delegation and established a field hospital in Haiti following the devastating earthquake that struck the island.