Praying for their return: these are the hospitals that will take in the abductees

The five hospitals prepared to receive the kidnapped: In recent weeks, the health system has been conducting exercises and discussions for the long-awaited reception of the abductees from Gaza. The Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Medical Corps determined that the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer, the largest and most advanced in Israel, would be the one to receive the majority of the prisoners.In the event of a large number of abductees returning together, the returnees will be split between the Ichilov, Beilinson and Soroka hospitals. The Assaf Harofeh hospital, which is considered smaller, has also been prepared in case additional hospitalization places are needed. Children will be treated at the Schneider and Sheba Medical Center. According to the guidelines, members of the same family will be treated at the same medical center when they are next to each other.

The hospitals assigned the returnees, similar to the previous campaigns, separate and private wings to receive the abductees. The hospitals are already used to receiving abductees, and it will be done as in the previous times with maximum sensitivity, taking into account the wishes of the returnees and providing privacy for their reunification with their families and loved ones.

According to the procedure of the Ministry of Health, the treatment of abductees is carried out in separate complexes. Each abductee gets his own room accompanied by a nurse, doctor, and social worker. First, each and every abductee undergoes a general physical examination that includes an examination of the general condition, traumatic injuries and bleeding, and a physical examination from head to toe.

The abductees also undergo general blood tests that usually include a blood count designed to detect an infectious condition, a drop in hemoglobin if due to iron deficiency or bleeding, the condition of blood platelets, a chemistry test that includes data on nutritional deficiencies or a lack of salts in the body, liver and kidney functions, and additional blood tests that detect vitamin deficiencies Di is the “sunshine vitamin” – important for many activities in the body and its level decreases after so many months in the dark, alongside levels and additional vitamins and minerals.

In light of the many injuries the abductees suffered both at the time of the abduction, and during the passage through the Hamas tunnels, the violence they suffered and the unbearably difficult conditions, all the abductees also undergo comprehensive orthopedic examinations that also include X-rays and CT examinations.

Abductees suffering from chronic diseases also undergo general examinations by a specialist doctor. According to what is known, some of the abductees arrived in captivity suffering from chronic diseases and the specialist doctor is expected to demand urgent follow-up tests to verify whether there has been a deterioration in the severity of their illness. They will also be re-adjusted to the medications they did not receive during captivity.

The tests of the abductees also include a discrete test for the possibility of sexual abuse. This includes a gynecologist examination, and collection of samples that may be suspected of such an attack. The abductees will probably also undergo a pregnancy test.

During the entire process, a hospital social worker accompanies each and every abductee to get an impression of the intensity of the mental distress. If necessary, a psychiatrist or psychologist is also called for an examination. The mental and social support of the abductees continued for the entire duration of hospitalization and even after their release. The family members of the abductees are also asked to bring personal belongings to the hospital stay – clothes, a book, shoes, favorite food, and anything that will help them return to real life. We wish for the speedy return of all the abductees, and their return to full health as soon as possible.