MDA’s changing role during the pandemic
Speaking with Jerusalem Post news editor Maayan Hoffman at the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference, Dr. Shafir Botner, director of the Magen David Adom paramedic school, who is also overseeing MDA’s efforts to test Israelis for coronavirus, and Prof. Eilat Shinar, head of MDA blood services, explained the changing role of the emergency medical organization during the current pandemic.
Botner explained that Magen David Adom was primarily responsible for conducting corona tests during the first wave. During the current upsurge, responsibility for testing shifted to the Home Front Command and the healthcare providers, but MDA is still conducting the majority of the tests in Israel on behalf of the kupot cholim. MDA is also treating home- based corona patients and transferring patients from corona “hotels” to hospitals, and
from hospitals
“hotels.”
Shinar, who has worked in plasma research for more than 30 years, explained how using blood plasma containing antibodies from recovered coronavirus patients is being used to treat those who are moderately or severely ill. In some cases, she said, patients
to corona
receive the plasma directly, and in others, the plasma is made into an antibody concentrate, which is being used as a clinical trial.
The clinical trial has shown promising results thus far. Preliminary results indicate that patients who receive plasma with high levels of antibodies within the first 72
hours of infection can recover quickly.
Shinar added that Israel’s new National Blood Services Center, which is being built in Ramle, is nearing completion and will include three underground three above- ground floors, in a structure that will be protected from missiles and other threats.